March 2007 National Women’s History Month

Each year, March is designated as National Women’s History Month to ensure that the history of American women will be recognized and celebrated in schools, workplaces, and communities throughout the country. The stories of women's historic achievements present an expanded view of the complexity and contradiction of living a full and purposeful life.

The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage girls and women to think larger and bolder and can give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience.

The theme for Women’s History Month 2007 is “Generations of Women Moving History Forward.” This theme celebrates the wisdom and tenacity of prior and future generations of women and recognizes the power and impact of generations working together. Moving History Forward is a process of individuals coming together for the greater good of the society and confirming the idea that individuals working together can be effective in building a better, more compassionate world.

The 2007 Honorees represent generations of women who have moved history forward and who have created new possibilities for the future. This year, we are honoring 14 women whose lives and work span over 150 years and eight generations, as well as a wide-range of occupations and accomplishments. Although from different regional, educational, cultural, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds, each of the 2007 Honorees have with skillful and courageous actions helped move history forward.

The 2007 Honorees are:

Lupe Anguiano (b. 1929)
Protector of the Earth and Activist for the Poor

Virginia Foster Durr (1903-1999)
Civil Rights Activist and Author

Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826—1898)
Women’s Rights Activist, Theorist, and Historian

Martha Wright Griffiths (1912—2003)
Congresswoman

Rebecca S. Halstead (b.1959)
Commanding General, 3rd Corps Support Command

Barbara Haney Irvine (b.1944)
Founding President, Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, Inc.

Brownie Ledbetter (b. 1932)
Civil Rights Advocate and Activist

Suzanne Lewis (b.1956)
First Woman Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park

Constance Baker Motley (1921 -2005)
First African American Woman Appointed to the Federal Judiciary

Monique Mehta (b. 1973)
Executive Director of the Third Wave Foundation

Toshi Reagon (b. 1964)
Musician and Songwriter,

Joanelle Romero (b. 1957)
Launched Red Nation Media Internet and Television Channel

Mary Ruthsdotter (b. 1944)
Co-Founder of the National Women’s History Project.

Minnijean Brown Trickey (b.1941)
Civil Rights Activist