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Reflecting on Women’s History Month
Rhonda Trent, President

The beginning of Women’s History Month as described on the Women’s History Project online website: www.nwhp.org is as follows:  “Celebrating Women as recently as the 1970’s, women’s history was virtually an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum or in the general public consciousness.  To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (CA) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978.  The successful celebrations grew across the country and in 1981 a Congressional Resolution was secured declaring March 8 as Women’s History Week.  In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March.  Since then, this resolution has passed yearly.  The popularity of women’s history celebration has sparked a new interest in uncovering women’s forgotten heritage.”

It is critical to understand the contributions of women in this country, and every new generation needs to build a bridge of understanding for the next generation.  As described above in the 1970’s, women’s history was an unknown topic.  As a young girl growing up in Del City, Oklahoma, I only remember the following women in my history class, Betsy Ross, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt and a few others.  The Women’s History Project has changed all of that to ensure the month of March annually reminds Americans that our nation must be aware of the contributions of women and must ensure equal opportunity for all.  Every year women are recognized and celebrated for what they have contributed in various ways to our daily lives.   

Of course, looking at the numbers of female Senators serving in the 110th session of Congress, we know that equality is still a struggle.  There are currently 16 female United State Senators; in 1922 there was only one female Senator, Rebecca Felton (D-GA).  The current race for President indeed is a historical event as the first female candidate for President is competing with the first African American male presidential candidate for the Democratic nomination.  What an exciting time to be alive and to witnesses this change.  However, as we all work in the federal government and face the struggles each day in the workplace, we know that equality is not a reality, but it has improved and we need to look toward the future and do our part.

FEW is celebrating its 40th anniversary the entire year of 2008.  This is the only organization solely dedicated to end gender discrimination in the federal government.  All should be proud to be a part of this organization, and FEW has contributed extensively in the advancement of many in their careers.  Let us unite as an organization to become stronger, unite to celebrate our 40 years of success and unite as a class to be stronger and demand equal opportunities in the workplace.

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