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Celebrating all women... in the past and the present

Congress declared March Women's History Month in 1987. The month is dedicated to celebrating women—both in history and today—who have made a difference through action. These women range from everyday heroes such as mothers and teachers to historical women such as Memphian Ida B. Wells-Barnett who worked to end segregation and racism and Frances Perkins who was the first woman to hold a position in the President's Cabinet.

Before the celebration of women's history lasted an entire month, it was only a week. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter made an address designating March 2-8 of that year Women's History Week. In his speech, he said, "As Dr. Gerda Lerner has 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."

(adapted from nwhp.org)

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Frances Perkins on left; Ida B. Wells-Barnett on right

On the Left: Photograph of Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins in an automobile, apparently at the White House shortly after President Roosevelt's death. By Abbie Rowe, 1905-1967, Photographer (NARA record: 8451352) (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On the Right: Photograph of Ida B. Wells taken at the end of 19th Century.By Barnett [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.