Women's History Month

To The Eagle,

Prior to 1970, women’s history was not discussed or part of the school curriculum. The first school district to celebrate Women’s History Week was in Sonoma, Calif. This sparked others to celebrate women’s accomplishments in their own communities. Jimmy Carter was the first President to initiate National Women’s History Week, March 2 through March 8, 1980. In Carter’s address, he encouraged schools to give focus to the many accomplishments of women.

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation,” said Carter. “Women were too often unsung. Their contributions went unnoticed, but the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well. Dr. Gerda Lerner noted, ‘Women’s History is Women’s Right. It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision….’ I ask you to recognize this heritage with appropriate activities during National Women’s History Week.”

Like Carter, I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality: Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul.

Understanding the true history of our country will help us comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all people, which can be achieved by ratifying the 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment states, “Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

In 1987, Congress declared March as Women’s History Month. Cathlamet has a rich history of women whose leadership, perseverance, passion, and dedicated service inspire women today. Maude Kimball Butler and daughter, Julia Butler Hansen, have left extraordinary legacies. Both were raised with the fundamental belief that “every American had an obligation to serve in some way. It didn’t matter how you served, but you should serve your country or community.”

Caroline Walton,

Cathlamet Woman’s Club