Women's history month

Last month we had an opportunity to explore some biographies of important African-Americans during February's observation of Black History Month. As the calendar turns to March, we now note the official designation of this month in honor of Women's History.

I'm reminded of the sentiments of Frederick Douglass, a notable speaker and advocate of the abolition of slavery. Mr. Douglass, an African-American, apparently believed in women's suffrage, but insisted that the newly freed black men should receive the right to vote first. So Black history month must be observed before Women's history month!

When you explored the biographies of African-American icons, did you notice that the vast majority of the black men and women were either athletes or entertainers? For all the talk about Crispus Attucks and his "contribution" to the fight for American independence, most of the African-Americans you wrote about were famous for what? Serving us by entertaining us. Other blacks made the list because of their contribution to the cause of civil rights (Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X). In other words, there was something self-advancing in their cause, with the improvement of American society an interesting side effect but not really an original objective.

Are the heroines of women's history month similarly famous? Are the members of the feminist pantheon those who contributed to life with scientific discovery, medical advancement, research and invention, or are they all simply women who fought for women's right to vote? When we look at women in history, will we be limited to the flag-sewing capabilities of Betsy Ross and the "empire is a fine burial cloth" encouragement of empress Theodora? What will an exploration of women's history month look like?

I'd like to you take a look at the women's hall of fame on the history channel web site. Read the text on the home page. Here's an excerpt:

In the early nineteenth century, women were considered second-class citizens whose existence was limited to the inferior life of the home and care of the children. Women were considered sub-sets of their husbands, and after marriage they did not have the right to own property, maintain their wages, or sign a contract, much less vote. It was expected that women be obedient wives, never to hold a thought or opinion independent of their husbands. It was considered improper for women to travel alone or to speak in public.

With the belief that intense physical or intellectual activity would be injurious to the delicate female biology and reproductive system, women were taught to refrain from pursuing any serious education. Silently perched in their birdcages, women were considered merely objects of beauty, and were looked upon as intellectually and physically inferior to men. This belief in women's inferiority to men was further reinforced by organized religion which preached strict and well-defined sex roles.

Hmm..life in the home and care of children were "inferior." This belief in women's inferiority was "reinforced by organized religion." Wonder if there's a bias there against, say, Christian home-schooling mothers?

At any rate, follow the link on the left to the "Hall of Fame," and, just as you did for Black History Month, select one of the noteworthy women and prepare a brief summary of her life and accomplishments. PLEASE DO NOT REPEAT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS ALREADY DONE! And, in case you were wondering, former Spring Arbor professor Julie (or is it John?) Nemecek does not count as a famous woman.