In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress declared March to be Women’s History Month. Today, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum work together to commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. We chose to add our voices to the chorus by highlighting some of the women who have inspired us most, starting with Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to hold the post of Librarian of Congress.
| Abigail Adams American First Lady, self-educated women’s advocate, mother of four and early voice for women’s suffrage. |
| Emma Goldman Rebel, anarchist, and a fierce advocate for the working class and free speech. |
| Mariska Hargitay Actress and founder of Joyful Heart speaking out for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. |
| Julia Child The indomitable TV chef, cookbook author and fascinating personality, she made cooking French cuisine accessible to American audiences. |
| Christa McAuliffe Slated to be the first teacher in space, her legacy has helped to increase interest in STEM and integrated science education into our schools. |
| Marian Anderson Denied permission to perform at Constitution Hall, Eleanor Roosevelt invited contralto Marian Anderson to sing the national anthem from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. |
| Jane Goodall A desire to learn about family and societal dynamics motivated Jane Goodall to study primates in the wild and found the Jane Goodall Institute which works to protect our natural environment. |
| Georgia O’Keeffe Known as the “Mother of American Modernism,” she defied gender conventions, carved out her own path and followed her passions. |
| Anne Frank Though her life was cut short by the ravages of the Holocaust, Anne left behind her “Diary of a Young Girl” and other writings, all of which demonstrated an unrelenting belief in the power of the human spirit. |
| Mary E.P. Kalbfleisch Erica’s paternal grandmother was a code breaker in World War II, her husband’s superior officer, a shill in Reno (where she secured a divorce at a time when that just wasn’t done) the mother of three rambunctious boys and a chemist at Pond’s. |
| Helen Frank Anne’s maternal grandmother was a true force of nature, mother of four, grandmother to five, psychotherapist, world traveler, amateur poet, avid CSPAN fan and foodie, she delighted in defying societal conventions and was a woman ahead of her time. |
These are just a few of the women who inspire us everyday. Who inspires you?
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