 It's March 2010 - it's Women's History Month in the United States. I don't know why I, and many others, are caught off guard and surprised each year when the calendar pronounces that it is March and - oh, oops, don't forget - it's Women's HIstory Month.
"Countless women have steered the course of our history, and their stories are ones of steadfast determination. From reaching for the ballot box to breaking barriers on athletic fields and battlefields, American women have stood resolute in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles to realize their full measure of success. Women's History Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the contributions women have made to our Nation, and to honor those who blazed trails for women's empowerment and equality.
Women from all walks of life have improved their communities and our Nation. Sylvia Mendez and her family stood up for her right to an education and catalyzed the desegregation of our schools. Starting as a caseworker in city government, Dr. Dorothy Height has dedicated her life to building a more just society. One of our young heroes, Caroline Moore, contributed to advances in astronomy by discovering a supernova at age 14.
When women like these reach their potential, our country as a whole prospers. …"
I'm grateful for this recognition and for the reminder to honor women who have done and are doing much to nurture the well-being of life. This year's theme for the National Women's History Project (NWHP) is "Writing Women Back into History." What a powerful idea and how sad it is that much of the history of women has been written with invisible ink.
Fortunately, a lot of progress is being made. Since the NWHP beginnings when less than 3% of the content of teacher training textbooks mentioned the contributions of women (and when included, women were usually written in as mere footnotes) much has changed. Today, when you search the internet with the words "women's+history+month," you'll find more than 40 million citations. These extraordinary numbers are evidence of people's efforts to write women back into history. This is truly something to celebrate!
The opportunity to maintain and expand the information available about women's contributions is essential. Without this knowledge at hand it makes it more difficult for us to draw inspiration from the women who's shoulders we stand upon. In looking at this year's list of honorees (which, by the way, is a list of all the honorees for the past thirty years) very few are well known.
One way I'm going to reverse the invisible ink trend and honor the National Women's History Project is to chose a name from the 2010 Honoree List and learn something new about that women. Another way I'm going to celebrate is to select my own honoree and share my appreciation of her with others. And, then lastly - I'm going to thank three women who've made a difference in my life during this month.
Two of my friends have already published their recognition of the contribution of women in history - Tony Lobl on his blog and Annette Bridges in her weekly column in the Dallas Examiner. The Oscar's honored Leigh Anne Touhy as well as Sandra Bullock this last Sunday evening. Nicholas Kristoff & Sheryl Wudunn have lifted up the role of women in their Half The Sky Movement.
Appreciating the role of women in our world can be as simple as thanking one you know! How are you going to honor Women's History Month this year? It isn't too late.
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 Here at Inspiration House this winter one area has become increasingly busy - our communication design services. From strategic planning, to content development,
to design, to production, to online distribution and marketing we've been responding to requests from non-profits and small business owners to help on various projects. These have included books, websites, marketing and communication materials in print, online and multimedia.
It's been especially meaningful to help others with their communication needs and to be available to assist even more organizations. A new online portfolio, Carol Hohle Communications, highlights a few of the organizations we've worked with and the projects we designed for them. Please visit the website and be in touch if we can be of service.
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Welcome to Inspiration House… a budding concept designed to nurture spiritual vitality for a just and sustainable planet.
www.inspirationhouse.org intends to be a champion, aggregator and
integrator - sharing links and information about spiritual practices,
environmental sustainability and social justice - and celebrating the
organizations that nurture the growth of spirituality and tend to the
well being of the planet.
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Event Calendar |
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March 2010 |
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