Our View: Celebrating Women’s History Month

Published 9:12 am Saturday, March 11, 2017

March is National Women’s History Month and we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the many women who helped build this country and those who continue to do so much often without much recognition.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter perfectly summed up the magnitude of these contributions in 1980 while recognizing Women’s History Week.

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.

As Dr. Gerda Lerner has noted, ‘Women’s History is Women’s Right.’ – It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.”

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

From the suffragettes who fought for the right to vote, to women who were trailblazers in their careers, much has been done even since this month-long celebration was established. As recent as 2016, women were still making history and “firsts,” as Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be selected as a major party candidate for president.

Our society has come far in terms of women’s rights and recognition, but we still have far to go. Women still face barriers of inequality daily. And globally, many women do not share the same freedoms and rights as American women.

This month, let us honor the many women who have helped shaped our country, our community, our families and our homes. But let’s also recognize the efforts still needed in the fight for equality here and around the world.

To the women who came before us and go after us, thanks for all you do.