WOMEN'S History Month 2012

A former teacher and book editor, Margaret Wise Brown authored more than 100 children’s books during her short life. Her most famous work is the children’s classic Goodnight Moon, published in 1947. She enjoyed writing her stories from her bed, as seen in

In 1981, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week. The week was chosen to coincide with International Women's Day, March 8. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress passes a resolution for Women's History Month in March, and the President issues a proclamation.  

Source: answers.usa.gov

Women's History Month, 2012

Presidential Proclamation - Women's History Month

The White House, March 1, 2012 

As Americans, ours is a legacy of bold independence and passionate belief in fairness and justice for all. For generations, this intrepid spirit has driven women pioneers to challenge injustices and shatter ceilings in pursuit of full and enduring equality. During Women's History Month, we commemorate their struggles, celebrate centuries of progress, and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the rights, security, and dignity of women in America and around the world. Read more...  

Resources:

State Dept. Fact Sheet on Women in Public Service Project
On December 15, 2011 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launched the Women in Public Service Project – a new initiative to increase the number of women in public service at the local, national, and international levels. A partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Seven Sisters Colleges of Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and Wellesley College, the Women in Public Service Project will engage a new generation of women committed to public service, create an infrastructure of support, training and mentoring, and help enable more women to enter public service and political leadership.  Read more… 

2012 National Women’s History Month Theme: Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment
Although women now outnumber men in American colleges nationwide, the reversal of the gender gap is a very recent phenomenon. The fight to learn was a valiant struggle waged by many tenacious women—across years and across cultures—in our country. After the American Revolution, the notion of education as a safeguard for democracy created opportunities for girls to gain a basic education—based largely on the premise that, as mothers, they would nurture not only the bodies but also the minds of (male) citizens and leaders. The concept that educating women meant educating mothers endured in America for many years, at all levels of education.  Read more… 

Michelle Obama: Woman of Influence
First lady Michelle Obama serves as a role model for women who strive to balance their professional careers and their roles as mothers and wives.
http://www.america.gov/michelle_obama.html  

Women of Courage
Around the world, women are challenging their societies to uphold freedom and human rights. Many take great risks to accomplish great things. Here are some of their stories.
http://www.america.gov/women-courage.html 

Women in Congress
Since 1917, when Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to serve in Congress, a total of 260 women have served as U.S. Representatives or Senators. This Web site, based on the book Women in Congress, 1917–2006, contains biographical profiles of former women Members of Congress, links to information about current women Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of Congresswomen, and images of each woman Member, including rare photos. http://womenincongress.house.gov/  

Women in the Senate
Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia, the first woman to serve in the United States Senate, took the oath of office on November 21, 1922. Having been appointed to fill a vacancy, Felton served for just 24 hours. The 87-year-old Felton's largely symbolic Senate service capped a long career in Georgia politics and journalism.
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/women_senators.htm

 Statistics:

Facts for Features: Women’s History Month: March 2012
U.S. Census Bureau/U.S. Department of Commerce

Publications:

Women of Influence
Bureau of International Information Programs U.S. Department of State 

eJournal USA: Educating Women and Girls
Bureau of International Information Programs U.S. Department of State 

U.S. Government:

White House - Women

State Department - http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/womenshistory/2012/

Women's History Month Home Page http://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/

Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women

Department of Labor Women's Bureau

Department of State Office of Global Women’s Issues

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Department of Health and Human Services Women's Health Information

Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health

Small Business Administration Office of Women's Business Ownership

Entrepreneurial Development

National Archives - Women