Women Making Inroads

March is National Women's History Month. We thought we made it when women were able to own property and when we were given the right to vote. For many years, pregnant women had to quit their jobs as soon as their pregnancy was "showing" and only in recent years did women get paid maternity leave. Even though women are as educated as men, only a small percentage of us are making it to the board room.

In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" because the history of women was not included in history books. President Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation in 1980 declaring a week in March as National Women's History Week. The National Women's History Project (http://www.nwhp.org) was instrumental in lobbying for recognition of women in history and spearheaded a national effort. By 1986, 14 states had declared March as Women's History Month which caused Congress, in 1987, to declare March as National Women's History Month to honor the achievements of American women.

Women leaders have long struggled for equality, the most famous of which are Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul. The National Women's History Project urges us to support ratification of the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that "Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

The Cleveland Public Theatre's 2010 Women's Voices Project brings women to the forefront. CPT Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan presents readings of new work from the CPT/Elyria YWCA Women's Voices Project on Wednesday, March 24, at 7:00 at the Elyria YWCA, 318 West Avenue; on March 31 at 8:00 at the Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit in Cleveland, and on Wednesday, April 21 at 7:00 at Lakeland Community College's Health Auditorium, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland. Hear the truth of women's voices at one of these performances that honor women. The evening will feature original works of drama, story and poetry created and performed by women in transition followed by a post-show discussion. Established in 1999, the Women's Voices Project is collaboration between Cleveland Public Theatre and the Elyria YWCA's Women's Campus Project. Women's Voices connects Campus Project residents with the tools of creative expression to help them achieve independent living and recover from domestic violence, addiction and other adversities. http://www.cptonline.org/cleveland-public-theater-womens-voices-project.php

The Cuyahoga County Library started out its celebration of women with Women in Space & Aviation on Tuesday, March 16, at the Southeast Branch Library. Those who attended that program learned about the likes of Amelia Earhart and other women pioneers in the field of air and space travel. On Monday, March 22, at the North Royalton Public Library, Jacquelyn Mayer from Women of Spirit will present her one-woman portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln, at 7:00 p.m. If you miss that program, you can catch the program again at the Independence Branch Library on March 24 at 7:00. The programs promise to entertain and educate. Finally, on Saturday, March 27, at 2:00, history actress Ruth Pangrace will portray First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the Fairview Park Branch Library followed by a question and answer session. Registration is required. http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/stdbackpage.aspx?id=17996

Take a look at the history of women during the month of March. It will help you understand how much progress needed to be made, what progress has been made, and what work is yet to be done. Women... we're worth celebrating.


Photo courtesy of National Women's History Project

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers.

Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com.