The essence of a woman, the sensitivity of a woman, the beauty of a woman, the care of a woman, the strength of a woman and the education of a woman are what our generation should appreciate, rather than the perfect measurements of a woman.Starting in Europe in 1911, what is known to us as National Women’s History Month, was known then as International Women’s Day, which was held on March 8.
Transforming the idea the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women began a “Women’s History Week” celebration, that included programs providing students with information about women and their accomplishments.
In 1979, a member from the group, Molly Murphy MacGregor, was invited to the Women’s Institution at Sarah Lawrence College to participate and show the college new ways to learn history about God’s wonderful creation, the woman!
Following in 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month, because of the outcome of the festivities of this particular week.
Asking for a month, especially for individuals who once where restricted from voting, speaking of politics and education, may have seemed impossible to some but a blessing to most.
Since Women’s History Month started in 1987, why is it that in 2011 some are “now” expanding their minds to the history of women?
“Our generation doesn’t understand the level of appreciation they should have for women period,” said Jasmine Holloway.
Converting women’s history into areas of study was the goal that the Sonoma County Education Task Force was aiming for.
To have some institutions not educate students on women who contributed to our history is insulting to those women who struggled for the recognition.
Appreciating Rosa Parks, Dr. Mae Jemison (first African American woman in space), Amelia Earhart (first woman to pilot a plane), or Melba Pattillo (who helped with the integration of Central High, in Little Rock, Ark.) is solely what the month was for, to discuss the women who paved the way.
During this month we should recognize the small town business owner who juggles being a mother, the grandmother who is weak from medication but finds the strength to provide for her children and others, or even the young lady forced to grow up and raise her siblings. Some would say Happy Mother’s Day.
Today, we are more than just mothers. We are the ones on the pulpit preaching the good word.
We are the ones who are sentencing criminals and enforcing laws. We are the ones removing the phrases “girls are not supposed to” and “girls cannot” out of the vocabulary of those who underestimate women.
Years ago, “smart” and “woman” would not have followed in the same sentence. But, in this day and age, women are now editing those sentences and making history.
All should pay homage to those who have come before you because respect is a universal term without the bias of race, gender and financial state.