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March 2008 That Reminds Me
‘Her’story lesson
 Emily Schilling
Editor
Traditional greeting card-worthy holidays are certainly important. But I think the little-known celebrations are the most fun.
How can you not enjoy Answer your Cat’s Questions Day (Jan. 22), Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day (March 27), and Respect for Chickens Day (May 4)? May is National Vinegar Month and September is Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month. (What a great idea!)
And March is Women’s History Month. I thought I was somewhat knowledgeable of women’s accomplishments. Yet, when I began checking out Web sites about notable women, I learned how little I actually knew.
For instance, over two centuries ago, Mary Katherine Goddard achieved several notable “firsts” — all in less than 25 years! In 1766, Goddard and her mother began publishing the Providence Gazette newspaper, making them our country’s first female publishers. In 1775, Goddard became the nation’s first female postmaster (in Baltimore), and in 1777 she became the first printer to offer copies of the Declaration of Independence that included the signers’ names. Goddard opened a Baltimore bookstore in 1789. She was probably the first woman in America to do so.
With election year 2008 in full swing and Hillary Clinton in high profile, many erroneously assume Clinton to be the first woman to run for the U.S. presidency. But, our country’s first female presidential candidate was actually Victoria Claflin Woodhull way back in 1872.
Many other women have sought the presidency. They include Margaret Chase Smith (1964) and Shirley Chisholm (1972). Smith was the first woman nominated for U.S. president by a major political party (the Republicans).
Though history books tell of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, less known is the night-long ride two years later of 16-year-old Sybil Ludington, who traveled 40 miles on horseback to alert militia in New York.
The first woman to fly an airplane, Blanche Scott, did so in 1910 — but I didn’t learn about her in school.
So many amazing women — Helen Magill, the first to earn a Ph.D. (in 1877); Belva Ann Lockwood, the first to practice law before the Supreme Court (in 1879); Jane Addams, who in 1931 became the first female Nobel Peace Prize winner — and yet we know nothing about them. This month, let’s put the “hers” into “his”tory and learn more about those who paved the way for today’s female heroes.
Written By: eceditor
Date Posted: 3/4/2008
Number of Views: 146
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