{"id":1608,"date":"2016-03-07T09:03:16","date_gmt":"2016-03-07T16:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hesarizona.org\/williams-charter-school\/?p=1608"},"modified":"2017-03-30T17:13:04","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T00:13:04","slug":"women-working-form-perfect-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hesarizona.org\/williams-charter-school\/women-working-form-perfect-union\/","title":{"rendered":"Women Working to Form a More Perfect Union"},"content":{"rendered":"

March is Women\u2019s History Month, and the 2016 theme, as stated in the title of this feature, is dedicated to honoring women in public service and government. This month typically features events and efforts to recognize and focus on the contributions of women and their \u201cconsistently overlooked and undervalued\u201d roles in national and world history. The inroads and work of women in government and activism is sometimes missed and outright ignored, especially when their attention is focused on achieving actionable goals rather than recognition.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How This Celebration Evolved<\/h2>\n

Since 1921, International Women\u2019s Day<\/strong>, meant to honor the contributions of women throughout history and acknowledge women\u2019s continuing struggle for recognition and rights, has been celebrated on March 8<\/strong>, though the day had been celebrated for a decade prior on March 19, before being changed. As early as the 70s, schools in the U.S. have been examining women\u2019s history, issues, and contributions throughout the month of March. In 1987, Congress designated this month to observe and recognize the many accomplishments of women to American history, specifically.<\/p>\n

The National Women\u2019s History Project<\/a>, which played a significant role in expanding observance of National Women\u2019s History Week (established in 1981) to an entire month, is honoring 16 women in government, the judiciary, active in political activism, and instrumental in making the U.S. \u201ca stronger and more democratic country.\u201d These women and so many others have helped shape this country and the world through their contributions and achievements.<\/p>\n

Remarkable Women<\/h2>\n
\"Source:

Source: www.womensplaza.arizona.edu<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWomen\u2019s history is often limited by focusing on famous people,\u201d says Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy, Ph.D., Professor of Women\u2019s Studies and English at the University of Arizona. Kennedy suggested the idea of the University of Arizona\u2019s Women\u2019s Plaza of Honor<\/a> as a living memorial to women past, present, and future because she knows well that the stories of women\u2019s history are still being written and cover a span of experience. According to Lapovsky Kennedy, there is a continuum still in play today that leads to historical moments, such as Sandra Day O\u2019Connor and Sonia Sotomayor\u2019s appointments to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

Keeping Lapovsky Kennedy\u2019s quote in mind, below are a few women, mostly Arizonans, who embody this spirit of service and achievement, including politicians, artists, scientists, and community leaders.<\/p>\n