How Could We Forget ~ "Happy Women's History Month"

With a show of 'virtual hands' how many of you lovely ladies knew that March is National Women's History Month? Okay to be honest I almost forgot as well, which is truly a shame, but really how much do we hear about this wonderful month to honor, recognize and remember great women who have contributed to much to who we are today? Until a few years ago, I came across this information and was disappointed that it's not focused on more. I came across this quote and it really struck me and is true: "Each time a girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less"– Myra Pollack Sadke.

Throughout U.S. history, women of every race and class have made contributions that have helped to shape and strengthen the country. In 1987, Congress declared the month of March Women’s History Month to recognize these contributions and to promote the teaching of women's history
Celebrating our history in any capacity helps to shape us and empower us. In just researching for my blog/discussion today I was just amazed at truly how much we have done for our world.

Great timeline of major women and events that shaped our history:

*1851-Sojourner Truth delivers her famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio. The former slave spent 40 years of her life preaching a message of equality for all people.

*1869-Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony organize the National Woman Suffrage Association to fight for women's rights, especially the right to vote. More than a century later, Anthony was honored when the U.S. Mint created a coin using her image.

*1920 -After 72 years of struggle, women win the right to vote with the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Shortly after wards, the League of Women Voters is formed to push for more reforms.

*1942-About 350,000 women serve in the armed forces during World War II. Many more provide support services. About 100,000 of those women serve in the U.S. Navy as WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

*1968-Shirley Chisholm becomes the first African American woman elected to Congress. Four years later, the New Yorker became the first black person to run for President in the Democratic primaries.

*1972 - Congress passes the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), 49 years after it was first introduced! ERA calls for equal rights for both men and women. However, a constitutional amendment requires both Congress' and the states' approval, and the measure later failed when too few states approved it.

*1981 -Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the time, just six percent of all federal judges were women.

*1983 -Sally Ride becomes America's first female astronaut when she spends six days in space. Today, about 25 percent of NASA's astronauts are women.

*2002-2005-Young women make their mark in the music industry. Singer, songwriter and piano whiz Alicia Keys took home five Grammy Awards in 2002, and four more in 2005. Piano-playing singer and songwriter Norah Jones and her album Come Away with Me snagged eight Grammys in 2003. Jones won three more of music's biggest awards in 2005.

2009 -Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State on January 21, 2009. As the President's top advisor on foreign policy, Clinton is the most powerful woman in President Obama’s Cabinet. She is also one of the most powerful women in the world! Clinton is the third woman to hold the important position.

There are many, many, more amazing women and I invite you to take the time this month to learn about amazing women in history. March is Women's History Month. Celebrate by sharing information on women's achievements and new insights on challenges women still face today. Let's make sure that we don't forget about how amazing we truly are as women!

Please post your favorite woman in history or tell us about your experiences or what you've heard about the wonderful month in general, I'm very curious to know if it is being recognized so please share!!

Here's some great links to visit to help you get started, again "Happy Women's History Month"!

National Women's History Project Website

National Women's History Museum Website

Notable African American Women Sites

Fun Women's History Quiz
How many did you get right?

Here's a great video I came across that honors amazing women in history (made by a student for her class!)