National Women's History Newsletter
December 2006
"I knew I could do it. I knew I would, and I did."
--- Gertrude Ederle - athlete, swimmer, first woman to cross the English Channel."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--- Margaret Mead - anthropologist
December Highlights in US Women's History
- Dec 10, 1869 - Wyoming is the first territory to give women the vote
- Dec 5, 1935 - Mary McLeod Bethune creates National Council of Negro Women in Washington, DC
- Dec 10, 1938 - Pearl S. Buck is the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature
- Dec 7, 1941 - Capt. Annie Fox receives the first Purple Heart awarded to a nurse for her service under attack at Pearl Harbor
- Dec 14, 1961 - President's Commission on the Status of Women established to examine discrimination against women and ways to eliminate it
- Dec 28, 1967 - Muriel Siebert becomes the first woman to own a seat on the NY Stock Exchange
- Dec 19, 1974 - The National Assn. of Women Business Owners is incorporated in Washington, DC
- Dec 14, 1985 - Wilma Mankiller is sworn in as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma - the first woman in modern history to lead a major Native American tribe
- Dec 13, 1993 - Susan A. Maxman becomes first woman president of the American Institute of Architects in its 135 year history
- Dec 17, 1993 - Judith Rodin is named president of Univ. of Pennsylvania, the first woman to head an Ivy League institution
December Birthdays
- Dec 1, 1830 (1886) - Emily Dickinson - one of America's most famous and prolific poets
- Dec 3, 1842 (1911) - Ellen Swallow Richards - First woman to graduate from MIT, 1873; recognized as the creator of the fields of ecology and home economics; founder of Association of Collegiate Alumnae which became the American Assn. of University Women
- Dec 6, 1927 (2002) - Patsy Mink - First Japanese-American Congresswoman; wrote the Women's Educational Equity Act; played a key role in the enactment of Title IX which was renamed posthumously as the "Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act."
- Dec 9, 1906 (1992) - Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper - pioneering computer scientist who invented the compiler and co-invented COBOL programming language
- Dec 14, 1897 (1995) - Margaret Chase Smith - First woman elected to both houses of Congress, serving 8 years in the House of Representatives and 24 in the Senate; first in Senate to challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade
- Dec 16, 1901 (1978) - Margaret Mead - Anthropologist; one of the most renowned social scientists of the 20th century
- Dec 21, 1959 (1998) - Florence Griffith Joyner - Olympic track and field champion winning 3 gold medals and one silver at 1988 Summer games
- Dec 22, 1912 - "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson - First Lady, 1963-1969; expanded role of first lady by actively campaigning for husband; led efforts to conserve natural resources and beautify nation
- Dec 23, 1867 (1919) - Sarah "Madam C.J." Walker - Entrepreneur; philanthropist; first African American woman millionaire and first American self-made woman millionaire; revolutionized hair care and cosmetics industry in early 20th century
- Dec 25, 1821 (1912) - Clara Barton - Founder and president of American Red Cross, 1881-1904
- Dec 26, 1954 - Susan Butcher - Sled dog racer; four time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Celebrate great women's birthdays year-round with our
"Celebrate Women!" Birthday Poster.
In January we will begin our 27th year of "writing women back into history", we are grateful to our loyal customers, our generous donors, and our amazing Network. Thank you to everyone who helps make our work possible. We are unique as a non-profit in that the majority of our revenue comes from sales of women's history materials.
Each year we find new opportunities and new challenges as we work to encourage the recognition of women's historic achievements. For 2007, using the theme, Generation of Women Moving History Forward, we hope to engage young women and young women's organizations in the discussion and celebration of women as a force in history. This theme underscores the importance and possibilities of generations working together.
2007 also presents special opportunities to highlight two critically important historic events: the 50th anniversary of the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, when nine brave students (two boys and seven girls) helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement; and the 30th anniversary of the National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas, which marked a high point in the influence of the Women's Rights Movement on the formation of government policy.
Most young women, as well as many others, have little knowledge of the importance of these historic anniversaries or of women's pivotal role in making each of them a reality. We will use the theme, Generations of Women Moving History Forward, as a vehicle to gain young women's interest and we will use the technology of their generation, including the internet, blogs, and teleconferencing, to establish connections.
When Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House elect, was invited to the White House, she said she felt quite crowded as she sat in her chair. At that moment, Congresswoman Pelosi realized that she was there with so many of her foremothers who had made her rise to power possible. We hope to inspire in young and older women this same realization and at the same time inspire a sense of purpose and power that comes from knowing about the lives of the strong women who have preceded them.
I invite you to help us with our work in 2007, by making a year-end donation.
Thank you for your support in our work to "write women back into history."
Best wishes,
Molly Murphy MacGregor
Executive Director
With January and another new year approaching, the December Path Breakers' outstanding resolve and compassion in their multiple roles as doctor, teacher, and philanthropist. Each story is quintessential women's history in the obstacles they overcame, the support they gave and received from other women and the purposeful lives they lived. Learn more.
The theme for National Women's History Month, March 2007 is Generations of Women Moving History Forward. The 2007 Honorees represent many generations of women who with their amazing intelligence, talent, courage and tenacity testify to the myriad ways that generations of women have moved history forward. More information about the 2007 Honorees will be available on the National Women's History Project's website www.nwhp.org in January. See the2007 Honorees for National Women's History Month here.
Calling All Women's History Performers and Author/Presenters
It's that time of year to update the Women's History Performer and Author/Presenters section of our website. If you are a women's history performer, author, or presenter and are not listed with us, consider doing so this year.
Our website attracts millions of visitors - all interested in women's history and many are specifically searching for the unique services you offer as a women's history performer or author/presenter.
For more information on our annual performer and author/presenter listing program, please email shona@nwhp.org. If you are currently listed in our Women's History Performer section, you should have received a renewal email. If you have not received one, request one from shona@nwhp.org.