National Women's History Month
Robert J. Dole Federal Women’s Program Committee joins the Nation in celebrating March as National Women’s History Month.
Robert J. Dole Federal Women's Program Committee joins the Nation in celebrating March as National Women’s History Month, when we pause to recognize women's contributions to history, present day, and the future. This year’s theme is “Our History is Our Strength.” As we celebrate this theme, stories of brave and heroic women who paved the way for generations to come by standing strong against opposition will likely cross your mind. Several of these accounts have been recorded and can be recalled simply by conducting research in, for example, museums or history books or on Web sites such as that of the Women’s History Project, which sets the annual theme for this observance.
History is filled with courageous women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who resolved to remove the word “obey” from her marriage vows and went on to become a leader in the Women’s Rights Movement; Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to liberate slaves through the Underground Railroad; Susan B. Anthony, who fought to ensure women were provided their inalienable right to vote; Rosa Parks, who changed the social conscious of a nation by the simple but courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on the bus; Amelia Earhart, who paved the way for women in aviation; Deborah Sampson, who enlisted in the Continental Army as “Robert Shurtlieff,” was wounded in battle twice and, once discovered, was honorably discharged; Elizabeth Newcom, who disguised herself as “Bill Newcom” so that she could serve in the military during the Mexican War; and Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for vice-president in our Nation’s history. These are courageous women who endured unjust treatment and criticism, yet found the strength to continue to fight and pave new paths for women of the future to follow. These renowned women have certainly set their place in society and opened new worlds of possibilities; however, many of us could share such stories but of a more personal nature. For example, how many of us can think of a mother, grandmother, or aunt who may have endured some type of struggle because of her gender? We often overlook those closest to us who may have served as personal role models or embedded strength and endurance into our beings from a young age.
This month, you are encouraged to recognize the women in your personal lives. As the leader in providing Veterans’ benefits and health care, VA understands the important role women have in the military. Women have served in the military, whether enlisted/commissioned or not, in critical roles since our Nation’s first battles. Women are now recognized as an integral part of our military and its history.
As we move into the future, we look at the challenges those women serving in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan face and develop and implement new ways of continuing to provide excellent service to our women Veterans. As of September 30, 2010, there were over 400,000 women serving on active duty, reserves and National Guard, representing about 16 percent of the overall military workforce. As of 2009, there were more than 1.8 million women Veterans, representing about 7.5 percent of the overall Veteran population. According to 2009 Census data, women now account for over 55 percent of the U.S. population and 46.8 percent of the workforce, yet earn 77.1 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn. VA continues to monitor its efforts to ensure all employees, including women, are included in all occupations, at all levels in the VA. As of January 31, 2011, women represented 59.60 percent of VA’s permanent workforce. Women represent approximately 54.99 percent of VA’s leadership pipeline (GS/GM 12, 13, & 14) and 38.9 percent of the senior leadership ranks (GS-15 and Senior Executive Service).
This month, as we celebrate women’s history, please take time to reflect on the past achievements and current endeavors of not only those renowned women, but also the ones in your personal lives who have contributed to your success.
To learn more about Robert J. Dole’s Federal Women’s Program Committee, contact Mary Steinley, FWP Manager, at Mary.Steinley@va.gov.
