Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month!!!!!!!!

In 1981, Congress sponsored a “Women’s History Week.” But in 1987 that was expanded to a whole month.

To learn more about Women's History Month go here

Or to learn about the National Women's History Project, click here

Take this time to think about the special women role models in your life!

Miss March 2009

Photo from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nellie_Tayloe_Ross.jpg

Out of the many hundreds of governors that the US has had only 31 women have been or are currently serving as Governor. Nellie Tayloe Ross was born in northwestern Missouri and became a kindergarten teacher, but she soon got involved in politics. Nellie was the first female governor. She served as governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927 and remains the only women to be governor of Wyoming. She strongly supported prohibition.

Later in life Nellie remained in politics and was appointed as the first female director of the U.S. Mint in 1933 by FDR. When she retired from that in 1953 she wrote articles to many different women’s magazines.

To Explore More about Nellie, Click Here

National Women's History Museum

The National Women’s History Museum is a "nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women, and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation's history." Founded in 1996,

Although women make up a majority of the population, "their lives, achievements, and contributions are underrepresented in museums," just as they are in Congress. "Recognition of the achievements made by American women will promote a better understanding of our history and culture for all who visit Washington, D.C. "

A word from the founder, "a better world awaits the generation that absorbs what women and men have to share about life from a joint perspective. Global discrimination and violence against women will end. We have much to work toward…If we - and future generations - are to learn all the lessons of the past upon which to build the future, we must be aware of the true experiences and contributions of women. Clearly, men cannot get there alone. Together, all things are possible."

~Karen Staser~
Founder, National Women's History Museum

* On March 25, 2009, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney re-introduced The National Women's History Museum Act (H.R. 1700) with bipartisan support and Senator Susan Collins will re-introduce the companion Senate bill soon.

To Learn More about NWHM, Click Here

Miss Feburary 2009

Many know about Susan B. Anthony and her work to get women the right to vote. But Alice Paul was equally as influential and dedicated her life to getting equal rights for women. With the help of her friend Lucy Burns and many others, they together led a successful campaign for the women's suffrage movement and despite the odds ultimately passed the 19th amendment to the US constitution. This formally gave women the right to vote in 1920.

Currently, there is a organization made in Paul's legacy. The Alice Paul Institute Works to empower women and girls to accept leadership challenges in their lives, communities and workplaces. For more information about API click here!

Let this be a reminder that you can achieve the impossible, as long as you're organized and driven!

Picture from http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bct/tag/alice-paul-institute/

Why More Women Should be Elected!

I've been getting many questions about why more women should be elected, or why it should matter what sex our representatives are. I'd like to first answer these questions with a quote by Margaret Thacher, "If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a women." Women are a powerful force; Sacajawea guided Lewis and Clark through America, Cleopatra was Queen of Egypt at the age of 18, Harriet Beecher Stowe sold half-a-million copies of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and opened the eyes of many readers to the tragedy of slavery and there are so many more examples that I have not mentioned. The bottom line is that our country was made by the people and for the people and needs to accurately represent the variety of the people in the USA. The only way to do this is to get greater intellectual and vocational diversity in Congress by a variety of professions, and backgrounds. The truth of the matter is that Congress is made up of mostly white, upper-class, ex-lawyer, men and that needs to change!

Miss January 2009

The first woman that was elected to congress was Jeannette Rankin. She was voted in the US house of Representatives from Montana (and is the only woman elected to congress from Montana to this day).

As a congresswomen she worked for peace, voting against going to war in WWI and WWII. She was also passionate about women's rights and fighting against child labor.

Photo from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannette_Rankin

Ballotpedia

Ever wonder what certain initiatives are really proposing? Do you know what Prop. 8 stands for? If so, Ballotpedia is a good place to start. This comprehensive website, allows you to search ballot propositions, laws, etc. by state or by topic.

Still curious? Go to Ballotpedia.org or click below:
Main Page
Missouri