Aug. 6, 2010

Contact: Heather Miles, 304-558-2000

AUGUST IS WOMEN’S EQUALITY MONTH
From the First Lady’s Desk: A Monthly Message by First Lady Gayle C. Manchin

 

In West Virginia, and across the nation and the globe, women are more and more becoming leaders and CEO’s, and increasingly graduating from college in greater numbers than their male counterparts.  This in no way erases the fact that women in many cases still are not paid the same wages as a man in the same position.  Therefore, while women continue to “crash through the glass ceilings,” there is still a long way for women to go.

Traditionally, in the United States, Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26th, commemorating the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This observance not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts to establish full equality. Workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Equality Day programs, displays, video showings or other activities to heighten awareness. 

We need to continue to carry the messages with much dedication and commitment in order to continue to empower women at all ages and levels.   The stories of women’s achievements are integral to the fabric of our history, nationally and globally.  Learning about women’s tenacity, courage, and creativity throughout the centuries is a tremendous source of strength.  Until relatively recently, this sphere of women's history was overlooked and undervalued.  Historically, women’s achievements were often distorted, disdained, and denied.  But, knowing women’s stories provides essential role models for everyone. And role models are genuinely needed for all women to face the extraordinary changes and unrelenting challenges of the 21st century.

Myra Pollack Sadker so eloquently said, “Each time a girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less.”  Therefore, while history helps us to learn who we are, when we don’t know our own history, our power and dreams are immediately diminished. Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life – science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine – has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for all girls and young women. Telling these stories of accomplishment becomes the cornerstones of education for our daughters and granddaughters.

To ignore the vital role that women’s dreams and accomplishments play in our own lives is a great mistake.  We draw strength and inspiration from those who came before us – and those remarkable women working among us today.  They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society.  As a woman, wife, mother and educator, I greatly admire and appreciate the opportunities I have had throughout life that were made possible by the generations that came before me.  It is truly appropriate that we pause, reflect and say thank you for the support each of us have been given.  Not just this month, but throughout our lives, may we look for the many ways that we can be that inspiration, motivation and trail blazer for all the women, young and old, around us. 
  

# # #