[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY PROJECT AND PRESIDENT MOLLY MURPHY 
                               MacGREGOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2005

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Women's 
History Project, NWHP, and its President and co-founder, Molly Murphy 
MacGregor of Sonoma County, California, on the occasion of the 25th 
anniversary of the organization. The mission of the NWHP is to 
recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of 
women by providing information and educational materials and programs.
  In 1978 in Sonoma County, Molly originated the plan for the first 
Women's History Week, which became an annual event. In 1980, she co-
founded the NWHP in Santa Rosa, California with Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria 
Cuevas, Paula Hammett, and Bette Morgan. NWHP, with the assistance of 
Sunny Bristol and other supporters, spearheaded the movement for 
National Women's History Week leading to the designation of March as 
National Women's History Month in 1987.
  Today, the group is known nationally as the only clearinghouse for 
information and training in multicultural women's history for 
educators, community organizations, and individuals wanting to expand 
their understanding of women's contributions to our Nation. The NWHP is 
in the forefront of national campaigns that call attention to women's 
achievements and has been recognized by a wide-range of organizations 
and commissions.
  Molly's passion for women's history was first stoked in 1972 when she 
proposed teaching a semester class on the topic at a high school. A 
colleague commented that the whole class should take about an hour 
``because what have women ever done, anyway?'' Molly did teach the 
well-received semester class then enrolled in the history graduate 
program at Sonoma State University where she created a multimedia slide 
show, ``We, the Women,'' which was shown throughout California to 
enthusiastic reception by women and men.
  As president of NWHP, Molly has worked with national women's 
organizations to build coalitions, develop programs, and encourage them 
to celebrate their own histories. She and her colleagues Mary 
Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Bonnie Eisenberg and Susanne Otteman have 
also worked with specialists around the country to integrate a women's 
perspective into the school curriculum. The NWHP has received funding 
for this outreach from the U.S. Department of Education and been 
recognized by the National Education Association, the National 
Association for Multicultural Education, and the Center for Women 
Policy Studies.
  Molly has been honored by numerous groups including the California 
Commission on the Status of Women, the Sonoma County NAACP, and the 
Giraffe foundation (for ``sticking her neck out). In 1999 she was 
chosen as one of three appointments from the White House to the Women's 
Progress Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, as a long-time resident of Sonoma County, it has been my 
pleasure to work with Molly Murphy MacGregor and the National Women's 
History Project to promote understanding and appreciation of the role 
of women in our culture. Their vision has helped create a legacy that 
everyone in this country can honor and appreciate.

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