Refusing to be silenced: Can You Hear Me Now?

by | Mar 1, 2021

Refusing to be silenced:  Can You Hear Me Now?
By Patricia Jackson- Kelley, Jackie Robinson Post 252

Celebrating Women’s History Month is especially significant for those of us who served in the military. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of -the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The Amendment gave women the right to vote however, the 19th Amendment is a far stretch of the imagination when it is viewed as solving or addressing the many inequities for women in the 20th century or even the 21st century, It is a beginning.
From the Revolutionary War to present conflicts, women have proudly served in the U.S. Military. During World War l, about 35,000 women officially served as nurses and support staff. During World War ll 140,00 women served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps ( WAAC). They gained recognition as being full-fledged members of the military on June 12, 1948(also known as Women’s Veteran Day). Finally, women could claim their service and sacrifice as their male counterparts, also it allowed women to make a career in the Navy or Army.
African American women played major support roles. For example, Phyllis Wheatley used her literary and artistic talent to help the cause of the abolition movement. She became the first American slave, the first person of African descent, and only the third colonial American woman to have her work published.
Many are shocked to know over 1000 women flew aircraft for the Women’s Air Force Service (WASP).
Women are assuming increased leadership roles and we are making our mark on the pathway to success. It is crucial that our younger generation continue to adopt the motto created during World War ll, We Can Do It. 

The history of Women’s History Month goes back to 1978 in California at the Sonoma School District that participated in Women’s History Week. During the week of March 8. This became International Women’s Day each year, and they adopted the color purple, my favorite color, to symbolize women. At that time, the participants of the California School District engagement appeared irrelevant. On July 13, 1979, there were 2- two-week-long conferences, and they decided to create a National Women’s History Week. Their work made it to the White House, and a month later, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week.

Women owe a debt of gratitude to the National Women’s Project, who petitioned Congress in 1987 to establish a Women’s History Month, which marginalized when public law 100-09 was passed. Women’s History Month is celebrated by individuals, organizations, and schools all around the nation.

The National Women’s History Alliance selected and announced the yearly theme. The theme for Women’s History Month in 2021 captures the spirit of these challenging times. Since most of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial celebration initially scheduled for 2020 was curtailed, the National Women’s History Alliance is extending the annual them for 2021 to Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing To Be Silenced. Women have progressed in recent years; we are “breaking glass ceilings”; however, our Vice President Kamla Harris shattered the glass ceiling. As a proud Afro-American, I view this Women’s History Month as EXCEPTIONAL. She is the United States’ First Female Vice President and the First African American, and First Asian American.

As we celebrate Women History Month, we must not become complacent. We must celebrate the achievements that women have fought so hard to achieve and commit to facing many of the challenges we still face.

caLegion Contributor
Author: caLegion Contributor

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