Celebrating Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month (WHM) is both a symbol of progress and a reminder of how far there is to go before equality is the norm. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first national Women’s History Week in 1980 because activists worked diligently to add women back into his-story throughout the education system. In 1987, Congress passed a law designating March as Women’s History Month in response to public demand.
Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance selects a theme for WHM. This year is an extension of the 2020 Centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment, Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced. The Women for American Values and Ethics community is the legacy of suffragettes, brave bold women and their allies.
The work to integrate her-story in history and politics continues. There are thousands of amazing women who have contributed to the betterment of society; from community organizers to inventors, and scientists, artists, and business leaders to politicians. The most recent success story is Katrina Foley, who won the Orange County Board of Supervisors race. She is the first women ever to hold that seat (District 2), and WAVE played a pivotal a role in her campaign by hosting fundraisers, supporting volunteer activities, and mobilizing voters.
Equality matters because when women thrive everyone thrives.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) which ensures women have the same rights of men via the Constitution, originally introduced by Alice Paul is still not law. It’s been 98 years since the ERA was first introduced in Congress; 49 years since the ERA was passed by Congress. And it’s been one year since the ERA was ratified by the required 38 states. With a new president and a Democratic Congress, now is the time to ensure the ERA becomes law. In the wake of COVID, unemployment is on the rise, most notably for women, especially black, indigenous and women of color (BIWOC) who are suffering the highest numbers of job loss. In December 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report showed a net job loss of 140,000 – all held by women. This is particularly painful because on average white women make .80 cents of a White man’s $1, women of color make significantly less, and the cycle of poverty is accelerated. Policy is the priority. Within the new administration, more women are in senior roles, including the all-women White House communications team. There will more representation for the country, if the first transgender non-binary individual, Dr. Rachel Levine is confirmed to a Cabinet-level position. Important to also note, is the newly formed Gender Policy Council at the White House which aims to advance gender equality throughout the federal government and set an example for the country.
Activism for the rights of women is mandatory for a future where everyone thrives.
It has not been so long ago when the rights of women were silenced because they could not vote. When White women (1920) along with Native American (1924) and Asian women (1952) gained the right to vote, local, state and national polices began to shift. Black women gained the vote with the 1965 Voting Rights Act and, in that moment, the spark of change ignited. Finally, in 1975, an extension of the Voting Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination against language minority citizens, expanded voting access to women who rely heavily on languages other than English.
However, in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act; primarily silencing communities of color by allowing States to make voting a difficult process. Organizations like Fair Fight, led by visionary, political leader, voting rights activist and Georgia resident Stacey Abrams responded by creating innovative get out the vote programs. Her work helped deliver the pivotal state of Georgia to the Biden campaign, and thereby shifted power. The result in action: only days ago President Joe Biden signed an executive order to help ensure all Americans have the right to vote by increasing access to voter registration services and information. He also called for Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act. And just yesterday, Biden signed the COVID Relief bill.
When we work together, progress becomes possible.
Today, more than ever, reproductive rights, childcare, healthcare and equitable workplaces matter. In the past, women’s achievements were threaded throughout history, as a footnote, rather than a celebration of achievements. This day and every day, we honor all the people who made a difference in our shared story.
With a mission to engage, educate, and empower the community, and a vision for an inclusive and thriving democracy, WAVE gives voice to progressive values and has an important role to play. Let’s continue to build on the legacy of those who came before us to create lasting change. Join the Social Justice WAG today; learn about other Working Action Groups, and bring a friend to the upcoming special event with Grey’s Anatomy co-producer and writer Julie Wong on March 18th. Register now.