In the News

By Gwen Moore

 

With more women than ever before serving in the 113th U.S. Congress, Women’s History Month can be a time to reflect on the women who inspired so many of us to join public service, and on those who have shattered glass ceilings in other fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Whether they were fighting for equal rights and equal pay in the workplace, marching for voting rights or serving as the only woman in their field, this month we pause to pay tribute to the many heroines of women’s history.

 

My presence in Congress today, and the future election of more women, is only possible because of the many dynamic women who helped lead the way. From Sojourner Truth whose speech ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ declared women’s equality, to Wisconsin bred Golda Meir the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Israel, to Shirley Chisholm the first African American woman elected to Congress - all of these women paved a pathway for future women leaders.

 

In recognition of this year’s theme, ‘Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination,’ we honor American women who have contributed to advancements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Despite being nearly half of the workforce, women make up less than a quarter of Americans in STEM jobs. But we cannot expect our daughters to aspire to enter these fields, which pay 33 percent more than non-STEM jobs, unless we provide role models. We must teach about Sally Ride, so the young girl dreaming of spaceflight knows it is not impossible for her. We must honor Shirley Ann Jackson, so African American girls know that they too can become Presidents of renowned Universities. And we must promote those who are still blazing trails like former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, so women and girls have a role model whose career they can follow.

 

In the spirit of all the women sojourners that came before us, I call upon all Americans to become mentors to young women and help cultivate our next generation of leaders.

 

Women’s History Month is celebrated in the United States every year during the month of March.

 

Gwen Moore is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district