Women’s History Month is here! Historically speaking it is not very old. It has only been observed since 1987. However, the purpose of it is to reflect on the amazing contributions of women in United States History! Let’s have a look at a few:
Betsy Ross: Designer and manufacturer of our first United States of America Flag, “Old Glory.”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott: Organized the first Women’s Rights Convention held in 1848. Declaration of Sentiments was signed at the convention which led to the to the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote (if they met the stringent requirements)
Elizabeth Blackwell: First woman to graduate from medical school and become a doctor in the USA in 1849.
Sojourner Truth: 1951 She was a slave turned abolitionist and women’s rights activist. She delivered her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech at the Women’s Rights Convention.
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton: In 1869 they founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and coordinated the national movement in 1890. It eventually became the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
Jeannett Rankin: In 1917 she was sworn in as the first woman elected to Congress in the House of Representatives.
Susan B. Anthony: Had a ratification of the 19th amendment nicknamed after her, due to her extensive work on women’s suffrage in 1920.
Amelia Earhart: In 1932 was the first woman to pilot solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.
Rosa Parks: Was the infamous black woman who refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white male in Montgomery Alabama. That was the beginning of the civil rights movement!
Sandra Day O’Connor: Was sworn in as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and served for 24 years!
Sally Ride: Became the first American woman in space in 1983.
There are so many amazing women throughout our history! I encourage you to learn about them and replicate their leadership, professionalism, intestinal fortitude, and determination to succeed despite all odds. You will be amazed at what you learn and how you can apply it to your own life both personally and professionally.
There
is one piece of women’s history that still eludes us to this day: On June
10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act which
prohibited sex-based wage discrimination for a job whether performed by a male
or female. It has been 59 years since that law became official and we are
still battling this issue! Ladies, it is time to truly put a foot down
and start claiming what we are worth! Our own self-worth depends on it,
and our legacy should not be that we let the world get by with paying us
less! Whether you are an employee or business owner. Examine
yourself intensely and figure out what you should be making for the job you are
doing! It’s 59 years overdue!
You are valuable to your family, friends, colleagues, employees, and younger women who are watching you and modeling their careers after you. Teach them all to value you in whatever form that may be. But don’t bend on your pay or your revenue generation, your life and legacy depend on it!
Bonnie
