[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E416-E417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
______
HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 21, 1996
Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Women's
History Month. Women make contributions to our society every day--all
year long. But this month offers a special opportunity to acknowledge
and to raise awareness about women's contributions in all aspects of
our culture--including health, education, public service, and the arts.
Minnesota has produced strong female civic leaders who have worked to
enhance the lives of
[[Page E417]]
others through their endowments to the community. Today, I rise to
recognize some Minnesota women in particular, who have enriched our
community and advanced the women's movement on a national level.
In its earlier years, Minnesota was fortunate to have many women from
diverse backgrounds who were committed to improving the lives of
average Minnesotans. For instance, Nellie Griswold Francis (1874-1969)
and Mattie Porter Jackson (1854-1946), two African-Americans, were
instrumental in the early civil rights movement. Eleanore Harriet
Bresky (1882-1952), a Russian-American, was a member of the National
Woman's Party, as was Minneapolis-born, Agnes Myrtle-Cain (1894-1980),
who also was a legislator and a union activist. Ruth Tokuka Nomura
Tanbara (1907-), a Japanese-American, was an economist and an early
YWCA social worker. I commend organizations like the Minnesota Women's
History Month Project who increase awareness and bring attention to
these women. Led by Judy Yaeger Jones, this group is one of only four
State-based organizations in the country researching and promoting the
history of women's lives within their communities.
Few people have fought as tirelessly and for a social cause as did
Clara Ueland (1860-1927), working for the congressional passage and
Minnesota legislature ratification of the nineteenth amendment in 1919.
As a leader in the suffrage movement, she served as the last president
of the Minnesota Women Suffrage Association and later, as the first
president of the Minnesota League of Women Voters. An historic leader
in Minnesota history, Clara Ueland truly embodied the character and
ability needed to advance women's suffrage.
Too numerous to mention here, hundreds of other women in Minnesota
have held prominent roles in the State's political, judicial, social
and cultural history. I am proud to recognize my mother's second
cousin, Congresswoman Coya Knutson, who was the first and, as yet, the
only Minnesota woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. She
served in the State House of Representatives from 1951-54 and was
elected from 1955-59 as a Democratic Member of Congress. Another
pioneer, Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Rosalie Wahl, was
the first woman to sit on the State's highest court and a person who
fought to erase racial and gender bias from the courts. Two other women
have made a difference in Minnesota politics: Gladys Brooks, who served
three terms on the Minneapolis City Council and was a candidate for
mayor, and Judge Diana Murphy, who has served as a State judge, U.S.
District Judge for the District of Minnesota, and is currently on the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and is a director of the
Bush Foundation and the United Way of the Minneapolis Area.
Countless other Minnesota women have been outspoken social activists,
particularly within the feminist movement. Among them, Gloria Jean
Griffin was the coordinator and co-founder of the Minnesota Women's
Consortium in 1980. She and Grace Harkness, the legislative director of
the Women's Consortium (1980-present) worked at this association of 170
organizations dedicated to full equality for women and as a resource
and referral center for women seeking help and support. Additionally,
Arvonne Fraser served as President Clinton's U.S. Representative to the
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 1993-94. She was
also the National President of the Women's Equity Action League in the
early 1970's and was named the International Citizen of the Year 1995
by the city of Minneapolis.
Representing education, children, health, and the arts, I would like
to recognize four women who have excelled in these areas. Jean Keffeler
is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota and was recently reappointed to a second 6-year term on
the board. Luanne Larsen Nyberg was the founder and executive director
of the Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota (1985-95), an organization
dedicated to increased state government and community commitment to
meeting children's basic needs. Dr. Jane Hodgson defied the medical
establishment in the 1930's, deciding to go to medical school when men
were predominantly physicians. In 1992, she was recognized with the
Elizabeth Blackwell Award from the American Medical Women's Association
for her work in keeping abortion legal. Finally, in the last 20 years,
Libby Larsen has become one of the most important and successful
composers in the United States, winning a Grammy Award in 1994 and
continuing the fine tradition of a strong cultural and arts community
in the Twin Cities.
As I stated last month regarding Black History Month, I would like to
recognize again Ethel Ray Nance (1899-1992), the first black woman
hired by the Minnesota Legislature and the first black policewoman in
Minnesota. Further, Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, elected in 1993, is the
first African-American and the first female mayor of Minneapolis and of
course, Nellie Stone Johnson, has been one of the most outspoken and
thoughtful leaders in Minnesota's African-American community.
I am proud to recognize and acknowledge the influence and
contributions these and all women have made in Minnesotan's lives. I
thank them for their service to the State, the women's movement, and
the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, as we observe Women's
History Month, I commend each of these women for their contributions to
our society.
____________________