[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E693-E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand here before you not 
only as a Member of the United States Congress, but as a woman. I fully 
support H. Res. 211, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Women's History Month'', this is an issue that I hold dear to my heart. 
This bill will increase awareness and knowledge of women's involvement 
in history.
  Women's history is a vital part of American history, however it is 
not public knowledge; mostly in part to the lack of women's history 
education in the schools. I thank my colleague Representative Woolsey 
for introducing this valuable piece of legislation.
  As Susan B. Anthony said ``It was we, the people; not we, the white 
male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, 
who formed the Union'' and ``There never will be complete equality 
until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.''
  This national celebration and recognition of women's historic 
achievements began in 1980 when National Women's History Week was 
proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation. In 1987, this national 
celebration was expanded by Congressional Resolution to an entire month 
by declaring March as National Women's History Month.
  National Women's History Month provides an opportunity to educate the 
general public about the significant role of women in American history 
and contemporary society. Establishing this focal celebration has 
encouraged schools to introduce new curriculum, and communities to 
recognize women who have been pivotal in their own communities.
  The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of 
what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage girls and women to 
think larger and bolder and can give boys and men a fuller 
understanding of the female experience.
  Today, women account for 51% of the world's population and throughout 
``woman's-kind'' we have had countless sisters whose brilliance, 
bravery and power changed the course of history. H. Res. 211 recognizes 
and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have 
fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
  While we have come a long way from the early nineteenth century, when 
women were considered second class citizens whose existence was limited 
to the interior life of the home and care of the children, we have yet 
to achieve equality. It is a shame that a decade into the new 
millennium we are still fighting for women's equality and the right to 
be respected for our contributions both in and out of the workplace.
  This bill will bring awareness to all of those women who have broken 
barriers and glass ceilings for the rest of us. Women such as the 
Honorable Speaker Pelosi, the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Susan B. 
Anthony, the Honorable Barbara Jordan, Sojourner Truth, Sacagawea, Rosa 
Parks, Amelia Earhart, Joan of Arc, and the list could go on for miles.
  However, this month is not only about the well known women of 
history. It is also about those less renowned, such as Belva Ann 
Lockwood, who fought for admittance into law school. She fought to 
practice before the Supreme Court and even ran two full campaigns to 
run for President of the United States, although she could not vote. 
Texas is home to a multitude of women. The women of Texas are strong, 
and National Women's History Month is the perfect time to celebrate the 
diverse population of women that reside in the great state of Texas. I 
am a proud Texan, and today, I want to bring attention to several women 
from Texas who deserve recognition and praise for their influence in 
the continuing fight for women's equality.
  One of my personal heroes is Barbara Jordan. Barbara Jordan was born 
in the Fifth Ward of Houston to a Baptist minister and a domestic 
worker. She grew up a native Houstonian, attended Houston public 
school, and attended Texas Southern University in Houston. In 1966, 
Barbara Jordan was elected as State Senator becoming the first woman to 
serve since 1883. Her political career continued to grow when she was 
elected to Federal Representative in 1972. As a Congresswoman, Barbara 
Jordan sponsored the cause of the poor, black, and disadvantaged 
people. She is truly a strong woman from Texas that is more than 
deserving of our recognition during National Women's History Month.
  A native Texan, Ann Richards was politically motivated from a young 
age. Through the 1950s and 60s, she volunteered on several Democratic 
Governor campaigns, and by 1976, she won her first political position 
as a Commissioner in Travis County. Beginning in 1982, she became the 
first woman elected to statewide office in 50 years as state Treasurer, 
and in 1990, a Democrat turned the typically red state of Texas blue. 
Ann Richards worked hard to champion for all of her constituents while 
she was in office and continued this fight even after she was out of 
office. In 2006, Ms. Richards passed away, but she will always be 
remembered for her kind heart and determined demeanor. She was an 
advocate for women everywhere. I want to make sure that her Texas 
memory is not forgotten.
  Alongside Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards there are many Texas women 
that have

[[Page E694]]

championed to represent strong, Texas women. Throughout Texas, there 
are women that have paved their individual paths independently and with 
dignity. Texas Railroad Commissioner Lena Guerrero was also a Hispanic 
legend in Texas. She was the youngest ever President of the Young 
Democrats of Texas at 21 years of age and was elected as a state 
representative in 1984. She was the first Hispanic and first woman on 
the Texas Railroad commission. Tragically, Lena met her demise at the 
age of 50. However, in her short time, Lena was someone to be admired 
and who made many contributions as a Texas citizen.
  Dr. Polly Turner, an Associate Professor of Health Administration at 
Texas Southern University is another outstanding woman I would like to 
direct attention to. In 2007, she was awarded the Outstanding Texan 
Honoree in Education by State Representative Garnet Coleman.
  Vanessa Diane Gilmore is a judge on the United States District Court 
for the Southern District of Texas. She was appointed to this position 
by President Clinton in 1994. At that time, she was the youngest 
sitting federal judge in the United States. She was also the first 
graduate of the University of Houston to be appointed to the federal 
bench.
  Hazel Hainsworth Young is another Texan deserving of our respect. In 
1926, Hazel Young was named the first Latin teacher at the brand-new 
Jack Yates High School. In 2008, HISD honored Ms. Young and her 
contributions as a teacher at her 103rd birthday.

  I would also like to direct attention to Faye B. Bryant, the 21st 
International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. Faye 
B. Bryant was born in Houston in 1957. Since then, Ms. Bryant has 
worked as a teacher and administrator of Houston Independent School 
District (HISD). Along with her education focus, she stayed a strong 
supporter of her sorority, and as President of AKA, she has reached out 
to other nations and developed programs such as the African Village 
Development Program.
  Mattelia B. Grays, the 18th International President of AKA, was also 
a native born Houstonian. After her education in Michigan and 
California, Ms. Grays returned to Houston to teach for public schools. 
Under her leadership the Rodgers Educational Enrichment Center was 
named one of ``One of Six Super Schools'' by Texas Monthly magazine. 
Like Ms. Bryant, Ms. Grays held positions of influence in HISD and 
championed for children's rights.
  Aside the plethora of minority women that have made a name and 
established a foothold in the state of Texas, there are Caucasian women 
such as Patricia Lykos who is currently the District Attorney of Harris 
County. A graduate of the University of Houston and South Texas College 
of Law, Patricia has dedicated her career to the administration of 
justice. In 1980, she was the first Republican elected to the Harrison 
County criminal court bench.
  Melissa Noriega is also a woman to be admired. She is a 27 year 
veteran of the HISD, a community activist, and a former member of the 
Texas House of representatives. Melissa's actions demonstrate her 
belief in public service and her ability to set aside her personal 
agendas for the greater good.
  Furthermore, Rosanna Osterman was a Texas pioneer, American Civil War 
nurse and philanthropist. She lived in Galveston, and during the 1853 
yellow fever epidemic, she erected a temporary hospital on her family 
premises in order to nurse the sick and the dying. Osterman also chose 
to stay in Galveston during the civil war and opened her home as a 
hospital, first to Union soldiers, then to Confederate soldiers.
  I am proud to stand here today as a female member of Congress and 
champion for the unending fights for the rights and equality of women, 
and I am proud that I am able to bring recognition to these truly 
amazing women from Texas.
  Women have a distinct place in American history as well as world 
history. Women had to fight uphill battles in order to free themselves 
from their cages. For example, women had to prove that intense physical 
or intellectual activity would not in fact be injurious to the 
``delicate'' female biology, and to be seen as individuals and not 
property and objects of beauty.
  As Susan B. Anthony said ``It was we, the people; not we, the white 
male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, 
who formed the Union'' and ``There never will be complete equality 
until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers''. Women 
face discrimination and prejudice everyday, yet women all over the 
world continue to work hard to make a difference--to alter their lives 
and the lives of others. I believe that women have always had the power 
to change the world and we will. I urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.