Remember the old saying that children should be seen and not heard? For far too long in history, that pretty much was the attitude meant for women. There were times when women were actually thought of as property. Maybe this resentment started with Adam being upset with Eve over that Garden of Eden situation.
Finally we women can quote the old tag line of the cigarette brand, Virginia Slims, “We have come a long way, baby.” It may seem hard to believe that prior to 1974, a woman needed a husband, father or brother’s signature to co-sign for a credit card!
We still have a long way to go for true equality, but I say “Huzzah” for all our huge steps forward. I will personally be happy when America follows suit with so many other countries that have chosen women leaders.
History is steeped with women leaders. To name a few: in the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut ruled, bringing artistic innovation and prosperity to her country.
Empress Wu Zetian, in the Tays dynasty, was the only female emperor of China. She ruled for forty years with authority and vision. Strong leaders such as Queen Elizabeth I of England and Catherine of Russia were powerful and strong nation builders.
We are honoring Women’s History Month in America, but I can only speak of a small representation of our incredible women. The idea of first honoring women goes all the way back to March 8, 1857, when hundreds of women from the garment and textile factories in New York rallied for equality.
In 1909 the women in New York rallied again for better working conditions, marking the first official Women’s Day. In 1978 the first Women’s Week started right here in California, in the town of Santa Rosa, timed to coincide with that fateful day in New York way back in 1857. It became a month-long observation nationally in 1987.
We could all make a different list of incredible women, I am sure, but these are just some of my greatest heroines.
Eleanor Roosevelt was so much more than just a president’s wife; she was a humanitarian, a diplomat and a delegate to the United Nations. Many historians have written about her important role in World War II and dealing with the health limitations of Franklin Roosevelt.
Never has the saying “behind every powerful man is a powerful woman” been truer. Eleanor was politically savvy, brilliant, resilient and a powerful voice for civil and women’s rights.
During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman showed incredible courage by helping slaves find freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Rosa Parks still stands out in my list for heroism. In 1955 she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white woman in Montgomery, Alabama. Many people refer to her as the mother of the civil rights movement. Making huge strides in the struggles for social change and civil rights as well, Susan Anthony and Patsy Mink are two of my heroes.
I still remember reading about Marie Curie back in sixth grade. I was so impressed that a woman was a pioneer in the research of radioactivity and earned two Nobel Prizes. Did you know that Rosalind Franklin played a crucial role in discovering DNA structure? Imagine the doors that opened in research.
The chemist who developed the first effective injection treatment for leprosy was Alice Ball. She was twenty-three at the time! You may have never heard of a woman named Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, but she played a significant role in the immunization for COVID 19.
Since I was a very young girl, I have looked up to Florence Nightingale, who was the founder of modern nursing, and Clara Barton, who founded the Red Cross.
Helen Keller taught the world that there is no challenge that cannot be conquered. She has inspired young girls for ages. I cannot name Helen and without naming her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who opened up the world for her pupil. Indeed she was a miracle worker.
One of my mother’s heroines was Amelia Earhart. She broke records in aviation and inspired female pilots worldwide. Many of us are still intrigued by the question of what really happened to her.
One of my heroes is Rachael Carson, the environmental activist. She authored the groundbreaking book “Silent Spring,” which ushered in a greater awareness of the fragility of our planet. Melinda Gates is using her wealth to benefit global health and women’s rights — instead of buying what? another something? — Many could, yet few do.
Shirley Chisholm was the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination. Later followed by Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. While they did not win, it was a giant step forward. Still I secretly hope to see a woman fill that position before I die.
I smile whenever I think of Tanni Greg Thompson, who won sixteen Paralympic gold medals and is a remarkable advocate for people with adversities. As an avid movie fan, I was excited when Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman director to win an Oscar for “The Hurt Locker.”
Endless books that have taught us so much about humanity and the world we live in have been written by American women. Their work has entertained, encouraged and uplifted us. Women such as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Alice Walker, Joan Didion and the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.
Such remarkable women as Margaret Sanger, Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem made great strides towards getting women the realization of their rights. I have often wondered how different my life, and the lives of my daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughter would be without all the work put in by all these trailblazers.
Within each of our own lives, there is a list of women who have inspired us, taught us, helped us, supported us and given us hope in ourselves. Each of these women are your Women of History. Sadly many of these women have no idea of how they impacted our lives. Consider writing to them now. Even if they’ve passed away, you can still write them a letter.
Names like Betty Dancer, Dr. Nur, Ruth Albertson, Mary Glenn, June Ereca and most of all, Anna Lesley mean nothing to you, but they helped change my world.
I remain proudest of two amazing women, my daughters: Leslie Barrow and Lara Olson.
To all my fellow women out there, I salute you.
