By Beth David, Editor
March is Women’s History Month, when we try to focus on the contributions of women throughout history.
Last month, during Black History Month, we included many women among the African American luminaries we highlighted. See our February issues for information on those African American women who made (or should have made) history.
Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in Santa Rosa, CA in 1978. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter Designated March 2–8 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987 Congress passed a law extending it to a month.
Learn more at https://womenshistorymonth.gov and https://www.womenshistory.org/
American Women: A guide to Women’s History Resources at the Library of Congress
A major new online research guide highlights hundreds of sources that tell the stories of women through a wide variety of perspectives and media in the Library of Congress collections. The guide’s comprehensive coverage includes historic and contemporary audio and video files, posters, photographs, magazines, sheet music, maps, manuscripts and rare books, as well as government documents and legislation. The topical essays highlight such themes as the Equal Rights Amendment, Patriotism, and Suffrage.
Visit https://guides.loc.gov/american-women
Brownie Wise
A self-made woman who made the coined the name “Tupperware” and became VP of Marketing, spreading the model of home parties to sell Tupperware throughout the country. She was the first woman to appear on the cover of Business Week.
Visit https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/brownie-wise
Sandra Day O’Connor
The first female Supreme Court Justice, who could not find paid work as an attorney despite having graduated from Stanford Law School in the top 10% of her class. She entered college at the age of 16, having skipped two grades in school.
She was nominated to the US Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and was confirmed unanimously.
She retired from the court in 2006 to care for her husband who had Alzheimer’s.
Visit https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sandra-day-oconnor
Sissieretta Jones, America’s First Black Diva
An internationally renowned soprano who thrilled both Black and White audiences. Her family moved to Providence, RI when she was a young child. She was the first Black female vocalist to perform serious music, was the most famous, highest paid, and her career lasted the longest. She died penniless in Providence after having to sell off her properties, one by one.
Visit https://www.stagesoffreedom.org/sissieretta-jones and https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/jones-sissieretta-1869-1933/
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Click here to download the entire 3/3/22 issue: 03-03-22 NewOfficers
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