[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. In 1987, Congress passed a resolution designating the month of 
March as Women's History Month and a time to honor, ``American women of 
every race, class and ethnic background [who] have made historic 
contributions to the growth and strength of our Nation in countless 
recorded and unrecorded ways.''
  For 2003, the theme of Women's History Month is ``Women Pioneering 
the Future.'' In celebration of this month, I would like to focus on 
four women from Wisconsin's history and honor their contributions to 
society.
  First, I would like to recognize Cordelia A.P. Harvey. An army nurse 
during the Civil War, Ms. Harvey worked vigorously in support of 
soldiers and their families. She not only collected money to support 
soldiers and their families but also campaigned for cleaner and more 
efficient hospitals for the soldiers. Her determination and sense of 
good will is something all Americans can strive for today.
  Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Helen Mears was a talented artist who won 
her first prize for sculpture at the age of nine. She studied formally 
in New York and Europe and was commissioned to sculpt a woman and 
winged eagle design, the ``Genius of Wisconsin,'' for the World's 
Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Her sculpture of temperance reformer 
Frances Willard was the first of a woman to be placed in the U.S. 
Capitol's Statuary Hall. Ms. Mears enjoyed a successful career and is 
remembered for her limitless energy and artistic ability.
  Kathryn Clarenbach is a woman who has made invaluable contributions 
to our educational system. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-
Madison, Ms. Clarenbach created the continuing education program for 
women at the university and was appointed chair of the Governor's 
Commission on the Status of Women upon its creation in 1964. She 
chaired the commission for 14 years and continues to serve as an 
inspiration to all women.
  Finally, I would like to talk about Edna Ferber. A talented writer, 
Ms. Ferber spent her early years in Appleton, Wisconsin and eventually 
wrote for the Milwaukee Journal. After four years at the paper, she 
returned to Appleton where she proceeded to write short stories. 
Credited with introducing the character of the American businesswoman 
to modern fiction, she composed not only books but plans as well, many 
of which have been turned into Broadway productions and movies.
  Each of these women has had an impact not only on Wisconsin's history 
but also on the history of the nation as a whole. Whether in art or 
literature, activism or teaching, each of these women truly was a 
pioneer in her field and deserves our remembrance.

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