Celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women everywhere!
U.S. women’s history highlights
1848–The first women’s rights convention, the Seneca Falls Convention, is held in New York, where 300 women and men sign the Declaration of Sentiments in a plea to end discrimination against women.
1869–Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association.
1920–The 19th Amendment is ratified by 36 states and becomes law, ensuring that the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of sex.
1963–The Equal Pay Act is passed, protecting all workers against discrimination in pay rates.
1974–The Equal Credit Opportunity Act is passed, prohibiting credit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or receipt of public assistance.
1981–Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
1994–The Gender Equity in Education Act is passed to train teachers in gender equity, promote math and science learning by girls, counsel pregnant teens and prevent sexual harassment.
2016–The Department of Defense opens all military combat positions to women for the first time.
2021–Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first female Vice-President of the United States.
Reading suggestions
Gathering Volumes bookstore in Perrysburg suggest the following selections to honor Women’s History Month.
“All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake” (Random House)
A renowned historian traces the life of a single object handed down through three generations of Black women to craft an extraordinary testament to people who are left out of the archives.
“The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation” (HarperCollins)
Using new technology, recently discovered documents and sophisticated investigative techniques, an international team led by an obsessed retired FBI agent has finally solved the mystery that has haunted generations since World War II: Who betrayed Anne Frank and her family? And why?
“The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos” (HarperCollins)
One of the most important stories of World War II, optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture: a spectacular, searing history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who became resistance fighters—a group of unknown heroes whose exploits have never been chronicled in full, until now.
“Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts” (Simon & Schuster)
Part graphic novel, part memoir, the book is an imaginative tour-de-force that tells the “powerful” (New York Times Book Review) story of women-led slave revolts and chronicles scholar Rebecca Hall’s efforts to uncover the truth about these women warriors who, until now, have been left out of the historical record.
“A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II” (Penguin Publishing Group)
Based on new and extensive research, the book is the full secret life of Virginia Hall. This is an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.
“The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II” (Doubleday) The riveting, untold history
The riveting, untold history of a group of heroic women reporters who revolutionized the narrative of World War II— from Martha Gellhorn, who out-scooped her husband, Ernest Hemingway, to Lee Miller, a Vogue cover model turned war correspondent.
Notable women who helped shape history
Women continue to blaze trails in the 21st century, influencing world events, politics and businesses near and far.
In the United States, more women were elected to Congress in 2018 than in any other point in history.
In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to hold a seat in the House of Representatives, and today there are 110 women serving in Congress. And such progress is not exclusive to the United States.
The World Economic Forum says 56 of the 146 nations studied have had a female head of government in the past 50 years. Females also have grown in their high-priority roles in the business sector. In 2017, Fortune
Females also have grown in their high-priority roles in the business sector. In 2017, Fortune magazine reported there were 32 female CEOs leading companies such as General Motors, PepsiCo and Lockheed Martin.
Throughout history, many women have made notable impacts in their communities and on society.
The following are just a handful of women whose accomplishments are worthy of celebration.
•Millicent Farrett Fawcett–This powerful leader campaigned for women’s suffrage in 1866 at the tender age of 22, leading the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. Her goal was realized 61 years later.
•Marie Sklodowska Curie–This Polish-born scientist founded a new science of radioactivity, which would have a sizable impact on the treatment of cancer. Ms. Curie also was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
•Ruth Law–Despite Orville Wright refusing to teach her to fly, Ms. Law learned to be a pilot in the early 20th century. At 28, she beat the cross-country flight record with a 590-mile flight from Chicago to Hornell, New York, and later inspired Amelia Earhart.
•Ada Lovelace–This gifted mathematician is considered to be the first computer programmer in the early days of computers.
•Valentina Tereshkova–In June 1963, cosmonaut Ms. Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Despite a lack of formal flight training, she was selected for the space program due to her skills as an amateur parachutist.
•Oprah Winfrey–Ms. Winfrey’s rise from poverty to the status of household name and billionaire mogul is a true rags-to-riches story.
•Nancy Pelosi–Congresswoman Pelosi became the first and thus far only female to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is the highest-ranking female elected to Congress in U.S. history.
These are just a handful of the many influential women who have shaped history.
Did you know?
According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Education, women have earned a disproportionate share of college degrees compared to men over the last 12 years. In 2018, women were on target to earn 141 college degrees at every level for every 100 degrees earned by men. That trend isn’t all that recent, as women have earned the majority of degrees at every level of higher education for years and, in many cases, several decades. For example, DOE statistics indicate that women have earned the majority of associate’s degrees every year since 1978 and the majority of bachelor’s degrees every year since 1982. That trend also is reflected in postgraduate degrees, as women have earned the majority of master’s degrees every year since 1987. The female majority in regard to doctoral degrees earned is a relatively recent yet still impressive trend that dates back to 2007. Estimates suggest these trends will continue, as DOE forecasts suggest that, by 2027, women will earn 151 college degrees for every 100 degrees earned by men.
More women becoming primary financial providers
In 2018, Prudential surveyed more than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 25 and 70 for its “Financial Wellness Census.” The survey indicated that 54 percent of women are the primary breadwinners in their family, while 30 percent are married breadwinners who are producing more than half of their household income. This marks an increase from 2015, when the Center for American Progress found 42 percent of women were sole or primary breadwinners — bringing in at least half of their families’ earnings. This represents a long-running trend that indicates women’s earnings and economic contributions to their families are of growing importance.
Studies show how much more likely it is for today’s mothers and working females to provide essential financial support to their families compared to earlier generations. It can be empowering to be a sole or primary earner. However, this role also may place extra pressure on women who also want to be ideal mothers. While gender roles have become much more egalitarian, the traditional household dynamic, in which women take on more responsibilities around the house, remains predominant in many families. That can contribute to stress for women who work.
A 2015 University of Chicago study found that opposite-sex couples in which women were the top earners reported greater relationship strife and were more likely not to endure as couples. The study also found that some women who earned more did a greater amount of housework in order to make their husbands feel better about the situation.
There are several ways to address and cope with feelings that arise from an increase in female breadwinners.
• Stay open-minded. Couples need not fall into dated ways of thinking regarding gender roles. If they adjust their roles accordingly and continue to adapt, things can work out just fine.
• Divide tasks evenly. Evenly divvy up tasks around the house so that neither partner feels as if they are doing more than the other.
• Share financial goals. Even if one person is bringing in more money, the overall household should be the main priority. That means that all adults have an equal say in financial goals, regardless of who earns the most money.
Many women are now the primary breadwinners in their households. That has, in many cases, led to shifting gender roles and couples and families may have to adjust accordingly.
