September is Women of Achievement Month, a national observation recognizing the accomplishments of women from all walks of life. I’ve been fortune in my career to have met many outstanding, courageous women who are inspirations and role models not only for me, but for all of us.
My mother was one of those women of achievement who took risks and refused to follow the limited roles granted to women at the time. She became an entrepreneur in the 1940s – probably before anyone ever used the word entrepreneur and certainly before many women ever thought about launching their own businesses. But contrary to what you might think, she wasn’t alone.
The United States was built on the foundation of small business, and many of those firms were owned and/or operated by women. Baker Library at Harvard University owns a collection of accounts of female-owned businesses from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These papers document women-owned taverns, general stores, millinery shops, schools, farms, cider mills and saw mills.
An effort is underway to officially and permanently recognize these industrious women who worked hard to make America a great nation and to create opportunities for the next generation of young women. Currently, the stories of these amazing women are only showcased through temporary traveling exhibits and other special events. But there is legislation before Congress to designate a permanent museum in Washington DC to pay tribute to the women who have contributed in diverse ways to the success of our country. The measure introduced in the U. S. House of Representatives, (H.R. 6548), would allow land adjacent to the National Mall in Washington be purchased as a permanent home for a National Women’s History Museum.
The plans for the proposed museum represent one of the first green museums in the nation’s capital. The design of the building will include many sustainable features and energy efficient and eco-friendly approaches to reduce operating costs and the impact on the National Mall.
Lawmakers must act before this session is over, or lose an opportunity to support women’s many diverse contributions to the success of our country and to the creation of greater opportunities for all women.
To ensure the creation of the women’s history museum, you must act quickly. The legislation must be passed before the end of this year’s Congressional session.
To learn some easy ways to put your support behind the campaign and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill, click here to learn more about the Right Here Right Now campaign.
My mom deserves this and so do many other moms, sisters, aunts, grandmohters, daughters and girlfriends. Don’t let this opportunity go by. Act now.
