So that’s it, then–the fight is over, right? Equality for all, and opportunity based upon skill and ability rather than gender will now reign supreme across all facets of the American military, and our female American servicewomen will finally get the recognition that they deserve  for the job they have been doing all along!

Not so fast; like all bureaucratically imagined solutions, this too has a catch. A very personal catch.

This current measure makes it possible for women to be recognized for the jobs they already do with the units they currently serve with, only now they can be treated as a fellow Soldier/Sailor/Marine, and not as a liability. The positions now opened to women are primarily placement factors, not new job descriptions or opportunities. The female medic who was once confined to the field hospital can now do what she does best–fix wounded warriors on the field of battle. More importantly, she can also be awarded a Combat Medic’s badge for her service. The female radio operator now doesn’t grudgingly accept that she will be stuck stuck as a glorified telephone operator on a large base at Brigade level–she can run the communications section for an artillery battery. Finally, those lucky few who have smashed a ceiling into certain jobs now know that they will be allowed to deploy and serve with their own teams, rather than being stripped from the roster and reassigned.

The military in particular has taken a long time to recognize women for what they can do, and what they have been doing. So few women have been awarded high awards (one Medal of Honor winner, anyone?) because awarding them would mean that someone would have to admit what any female in the military has known all along; women have served, are serving, and will continue to serve in direct combat roles, regardless of job description.  They decry a loss of physical and mental standards, without recognizing that there are women every day who meet the male standards of fitness and adaptability as a personal rule to themselves–that they will be every inch, every sit-up, every mile as good as or better than their male brothers in arms.

This is not to marginalize the small steps, of course; any progress, any inroad, leads us further down the path to true equality. This is indeed a start, but be forewarned that a military woman is a hard nut to crack, and we will not let it stop here. More must be made, more must be accepted, more must be done. It is not impossible. Perhaps by the time my daughter graduates, she will have every opportunity to truly ‘Be All That She Can Be.’

Back in the 1920s planes were made of wood and cloth held together with wire. And back then everyone knew blacks couldn’t fly, and neither could women. But this spunky black woman from the cotton fields of Texas did loops above the Eiffel Tower, walked on wings above America, and jumped off planes to the oohs and gasps of crowds.  Bessie could also do a mean Charleston on the dance floor while guys lined up on both sides of the Atlantic. Her admirers included France’s top World War I ace, an African prince, a Florida millionaire, Chicago’s top black newspaperman, and its top black gangster.

She survived broken bones and some broken hearts. She was the first person, man or woman, to open the skies to black pilots. She helped open grandstands on the ground as well, refusing to perform unless everyone could buy a ticket.  She inspired generations of flyers. After years of neglect, she has at last been recognized as one of the leading figures in aviation, African-American, and women’s history.  Tributes include a postage stamp, a street named for her at O’Hare airport, and her photo tucked into a spacesuit worn by the first black woman astronaut as she flew on the space shuttle.

Coleman performed across the country as a barnstormer and daredevil until she was killed falling from a plane after a wrench fell into the gearbox. The question of whether it was an accident or homicide has never been answered.

For more information, a review copy, or an interview with the author, email me at editor@miniverpress.com

This tradition was carried on later in the early 20th century by radical libertarian Suzanne La Follette. Though she is the author of the first full-length book on libertarian feminism in existence, Concerning Women, a book which her colleague, friend, and mentor, essayist Albert Jay Nock, called “superb,” she is almost unknown among feminists today. Out of print until 1972 when it was reprinted in the Arno Press “American Women” series, an excerpt titled “Beware the State” appeared in The Feminist Papers, an anthology edited by Alice Rossi.

Born in 1893 on a ranch in western Washington, La Follette moved with her family to Washington, D.C., where her father, the cousin of Senator Robert La Follette, served in the House of Representatives for eight years. She and her brother Chester recalled that the adults in the family were all “good feminists.”

After finishing college in Washington, D.C. in 1919, La Follette plunged immediately into the world of politics with a job on the staff of the Nation. When Nock, whom she had met there, founded his libertarian magazine, the Freeman in 1920, she joined him as one of the editors for the four years of its existence. She continued as an editor and journalist the rest of her life.

After the demise of the Freeman, La Follette began work on Concerning Women, which was published in 1926. Its libertarian theme is aptly summarized by Rossi: “On issue after issue La Follette comes down on the side of the least degree of state interference in the lives of men and women and a consistent belief that it is only through full economic independence and personal autonomy that sex equality will be achieved.”

The economic independence of women is one of the major themes of La Follette’s book. Though not an anarchist, she agreed that the State was the natural enemy of women. Believing that the subjection of women, like chattel slavery or “industrial slavery,” had its basis in economics, La Follette declared that the primary way in which the State hurt women was through legally imposed economic disadvantages.

Another major theme is La Follette’s book is opposition to state-regulated marriage. Like the 19th century anarchist feminists, La Follette did not approve of State control of marriage. Institutional marriage was, in her opinion, simply a way for the State, the Church, and the community to interfere with a personal and private matter: “Marriage under conditions arbitrarily fixed by an external agency is slavery…”

The Church also came under La Follette’s attack. She considered marriage and divorce laws to be impositions of Christian morality, which were in her view, anti-woman, hypocritical, and puritanical. Both in her book and in various later articles, La Follette struck out against hypocritical morality, condemning censorship, laws against prostitution, and laws limiting reproductive freedom. Her radical analysis of motherhood out-of-wedlock anticipated modern feminist thinking. Speaking out strongly against the rejection of the so-called illegitimate child, she saw unwed motherhood as a defiance of the idea of male proprietorship. She herself never married nor had any children.

La Follette’s book received little attention. Though La Follette attributed it to a decline in interest in women’s issues, it is likely that a more significant contributing factor was her iconoclastic views on government and feminism. Only a handful of people carried on the libertarian tradition in the 1920’s and 30’s, a time when socialism was more favored by the intellectuals and individualism increasingly frowned upon.

After the publication of Concerning Women, La Follette turned her humanistic sensibilities to the field of art. “All art,” she declared, “serves humanity by the simple fact of its existence.” Her interest in art, first publicly evidenced by a series of articles in the Freeman, led her to write a second book, again at Nock’s suggestion. Art in America was published in 1929—”just in time for the market crash.” Nonetheless it became a classic of art history, and was reprinted in 1968 by Harper and Row.

La Follette’s approach to art was as individualistic as her approach to feminism and to politics. Writing in the H.L. Mencken’s American Mercury in 1925, she proposed endowing individual artists rather than institutions. “The salvation of humanity,” she declared, “never yet lay in the hands of any institution, not even in the hands of the Church. It is and always has been the individual who has cleared the path of human progress.”

Not only an art historian but—briefly—a poet too, La Follette published two poems in 1927, “Ulysses” and “Wind on the Heath.” Ulysses was reprinted  in The Best Poems of 1928.

La Follette briefly edited a revival of the Freeman, titled the New Freeman, but coming as it did at the eve of the Great Depression in 1930, it didn’t last long. It was, unfortunately, the last public place in which she ever commented on feminist issues. Her relatives and colleagues didn’t recall hearing her discuss feminist issues as such again after the magazine folded. But her brother Chester pointed out that she would have been unlikely to talk about such topics with people who agreed with her.

During the 1930’s, La Follette continued to decry statism, especially New Deal welfare programs and growing totalitarianism abroad. These essays appeared in magazines such as the New Republic, the Nation, Current History and Scribner’s Magazine.

In the late 1930’s, one of La Follette’s most important accomplishments was overseeing John Dewey’s “Preliminary Commission of Inquiry into the Charges Made Against Leon Trotsky in the Moscow Trials.” The purpose was to examine the charges against Trotsky brought by Stalin. The Commission exonerated Trotsky of the charges against him, accusing Stalin of a frame-up. The final report, Not Guilty, co-authored by La Follette and Dewey, was published in 1938. The investigation stripped away any sympathy for the Soviet Union that La Follette may have had; anti-communism was to be a major theme of her writings after this report.

La Follette and her colleague John Chamberlain briefly revived the Freeman in 1950 as a mostly anti-communist publication. When it failed, it was sold to the Foundation for Economic Education, which continues it in a different form today.

In 1955, La Follette became a founding editor of National Review and worked as its managing editor until her retirement in 1959. In those days, recalled her Chamberlain, there was no place for a libertarian to publish except a handful of conservative journals. But, Chamberlain added, La Follette was “not a traditional conservative…we were all anti-statists.”

La Follette retained her feminist views throughout. In 1964, when the New York Conservative Party, of which she was a co-founder, came out in favor of anti-abortion laws, she demanded that her name be dropped from the Party’s letterhead—and it was. “She may not have said ‘I’m doing this as part of the feminist cause,”’ her grandniece Maryly Rosner told me, “but she believed in things that were part of the feminist movement.” La Follette’s colleagues in later years recall that she would not tolerate sexist remarks. “Suzanne would not take any putdown because of sex,” said Priscilla Buckley. Chamberlain remembered that “she didn’t like people criticizing women.”

La Follette passed away in 1983 but is remembered vividly by her friends as a beautiful and cultivated woman, “opinionated,” “overwhelming” but “perfectly gracious,” “extremely kind” and loyal. Her iconoclastic courage to go against the rising tide of a different approach to feminism virtually alone in the early 20th century, standing firm for her ideals, deserves our admiration no matter what our views.

References:
Edward T James, Janet Wilson James, & Paul S. Boyer. Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary, Vol. 5. Cambridge MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2004.

Suzanne La Follette. Concerning Women. New York: Albert and Charles Boni, 1926 (Arno Press reprint, 1972, in the series  “American Women: Images and Realities”).

Art in America. 1929. (New York: Harper & Row, 1965.) “Beware the State,” in Alice Rossi, ed., The Feminist Papers. New York: Columbia University Press, 1973; New York: Bantam, 1974.

Sharon Presley, “Suzanne La Follette: The New Freewoman,” accessed on June 12, 2012 at http://www.alf.org/lafollette.php

Submitted by Sharon Presley, www.sharonpresley.com

Lillian Moller was born on May 24, 1878 in Oakland, California. She earned a B.A. in literature at the University of California at Berkeley in 1900 and in 1902 she obtained a master’s in literature there. She met her husband, Frank Gilbreth shortly after that and they were married in 1904. Lillian helped Frank in his construction consulting business and soon became his partner. They moved to Rhode Island and Lillian earned a doctorate in psychology from Brown University in 1915 – while having four children.  She eventually had six sons and six daughters.

The Gilbreths concentrated their business on efficient time management. Frank studied the technical properties of managing workers while Lillian focused on the human element. Their famous Motion Studies tracked the movements workers did to complete tasks. Their work in office furniture design helped pioneer the field of ergonomics. Lillian pioneered the psychology of work – workers’ mental and physical health, the effect of stress and fatigue, and worker incentives.

Lillian continued working in efficiency-management after Frank’s death in 1924. She became a professor of management at Purdue University in 1935, the first woman in the engineering department. She consulted with businesses such as General Electric to improve the design of kitchens. Lillian focused on physically disabled people and created innovations to help them do household tasks. She served on Presidential committees and wrote books. She toured the world speaking at conferences and lecturing on management efficiency.

Lillian received numerous awards throughout her life, including the prestigious Hoover Medal in 1966. The citation reads:

Renowned engineer, internationally respected for contributions to motion study and to the recognition of the principle that management engineering and human relations are intertwined; courageous wife and mother; outstanding teacher, author, lecturer and member of professional committees under Herbert Hoover and four successors. Additionally, her unselfish application of energy and creative efforts in modifying industrial and home environments for the handicapped has resulted in full employment of the capabilities and elevation of their self-esteem.

(From “Memorial Tributes: National Academy of Engineering, Volume 1 (1979) by the National Academy of Engineering, p. 89 to 94, by James N. Landis (accessed from the NAE website, www.nae.edu ))

Lillian earned several “Firsts:”

• First female commencement speaker at University of California at Berkeley, 1900
• First woman admitted to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1926 (cited as 1921 and as second woman in some sources)
• Recipient of the first award of the Gilbreth Medal created by the Society of Industrial Engineers, 1931
• First honorary member of the Society of Women Engineers, 1950
• First woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering, 1965

Lillian Moller Gilbreth died on January 2, 1972 at the age of 92. There is a moving tribute to her in the National Academy of Engineering, Memorial Tributes, Volume 1 (1979) by James N. Landis, p 89 to 94, accessible from the NAE website, www.nae.edu.  Her portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, and a U.S postage stamp was issued in her honor in 1984.

Resources and Further Reading:

“Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Web Site” in the Archives and Special Collections of Purdue University, http://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/manuscripts/fblg/

Lillian Moller Gilbreth page at the San Diego Supercomputer Center website: http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/gilbreth.html )

The Gilbreth Network: http://gilbrethnetwork.tripod.com/front.html

1955 Interview with Lillian Gilbreth: http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/285

Paper Presented by Lillian Gilbreth: http://www.worksimp.com/articles/widening%20horizons%20-%20gilbreth.htm

Submitted by Jeanne Robinson, www.jeannerobinson.com

Ginsburg was born March 15th, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. After receiving her BA at Cornell University, she attended Harvard Law School receiving her LL.B. from Columbia Law School.  She began her career serving as a law clerk to Edmund L. Palmieri, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, from 1959–1961.

Continuing her career, throughout many roles, advocating for civil rights, women’s issues, worker’s rights and equality, she became a key player in contributing to the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, and served as the ACLU’s general Counsel from 1973–1980, and on the National Board of Directors from 1974–1980.

After being appointed Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980, President Clinton nominated her as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court—taking her seat on August 10, 1993 next to Sandra Day O’Connor the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, and has a daughter, Jane, and a son, James. After 56 years of marriage, her husband passed away in June 2010. Not long after his passing, Ginsburg continued serving her position on the Supreme Court.

Ginsburg turning 79 today continues to serve the women of this country with her advocacy for equality and civil rights.  Ginsburg is an icon to young women of America, especially those pursuing a career in law.  Time and time again, she has proudly served her position to show that the Supreme Court is not entirely male —even when she was faced with some of life’s most difficult circumstances.

Ginsburg sets the standard for accountability; openly she has recognized the inaccuracies in history pertaining to equality, women, slavery, and Native Americans when no one else in her position seemed to be talking about such issues.  She continues to represent herself as a woman and more importantly as an individual that has ideas and perspectives that ultimately shape the outcomes of many issues currently facing our society and the world today.

Written by:
Kimberly Roush
Blog Manager

Sources:
http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2009-05-05-ruthginsburg_N.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-egypt_n_1248527.html

Richards was born in Dunstable, Massachussetts to a family who nurtured her educational aspirations.

After recieving degrees from Vassar college and MIT, her educational attributes ( teaching, consulting, and promoting the American Association of University Women) in MIT propelled the university to accept more women for admission.

If it wasn’t for Richards, women would never be admitted into science-based universities nor would women even have the option of taking Home Economics in school.

So remember this as you try to send in your Essay and SAT scores into MIT or when you are  trying to read up on the best nutritional dinners for children 13 years and younger.

By Sherryn Daniel

 On this day in history she will not only be remembered for pioneering American Women into saint hood but for her subsequent accomplishments that trailblazed immigration, religion and with social issues:

• Cabrini, along with six other sisters founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus where she composed the constitution and served as the establishment’s superior general. ( This establishment created homes, a free school and nursery during it’s initial five years.)
• March 31, 1889, the Pope sent Cabrini to NYC to assist Italian immigrants by establishing an orphanage and creating  67 institutions across the U.S, South America and Europe.
•   Cabrini’s beatification miracle dealt with  the restoration of sight to a child who had been blinded by excess silver nitrate in its eyes.
• Mother Cabrini’s feast day is celebrated  November 13, which is also the the day of her beatification.

A great way to celebrate this day in history is to volunteer  at  your local public schools, hospitals or children’s day cares to give back like Mother Francis.

By Sherryn Daniel

 Besides writing for many notable magazines and books, she’s most well known for her acclaimed 1904 book called The History of Standard Oil Company which brought down the Standard Oil Company and  is also number 5 in the New York Times  top 100 works of 20th century American Journalism.

 It’s amazing to note how Tarbell, single-handidly, brought down big oil’s unsavory business tactics by digging into public documents,  performing extensive research and  by using  her keen interviewing skills on difficult sources.  It’s not every day that one female journalist brought down  John D. Rockefeller, the world’s biggest oil tycoon with determination, bravery and confidence.

 If it wasn’t for her, would we even have  journalists today like Barbara Walters, Anne Curry, and Katie Couric?

November 5 is Ida M. Tarbell’s birthday and what other way to celebrate it is by cracking open a newspaper and by keeping up with all female journalists.

“Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it none exists — with it all things are possible.”

1. Sonia Sotomayor: First Hispanic American woman to be inducted in as a supreme court judge.
2. Antonia Coello Novello: First woman to hold the position as U.S surgeon general from 1990-1993.
3. Ellen Ochoa: First female Hispanic astronaut who first embarked on four shuttle missions in 1991.
4. Rita Moreno:  First Hispanic woman to win an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony,  and an Emmy.
5. Christy Turlington: Is a world famous model and icon.

A great way to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month is to learn more about these and several amazing Latin American women. Please check out our Hispanic Heritage Month Products and send us an e-mail at:nwhpblog@gmail.com if you know of any great Hispanic American women in your community.

By Sherryn Daniel

According to a  recent White House Press Release: “Women comprise less than one-fifth of our Congress and account for a mere fraction of the chief executives at the helm of our biggest companies.  Women hold only 27 percent of jobs in science and engineering, which are critical to our economic growth in a 21st-century economy.  And, almost 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was enacted, American women still only earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn.  This gap increases among minority women and those living with disabilities.”

In reverence to Women’s Equality Day, lets  remember that full equality is still attainable in the future through perseverance and through the spread of women’s history education. Today, we are fortunate to have: workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities spread the word over what women have struggled with and have achieved in U.S history.

By Sherryn Daniel