WOMEN HELPING WOMEN: IN HONOR OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

In 1987, the US Congress declared March, National Women’s History Month in perpetuity.

“When women are poor, their rights are not protected and they face double discrimination, on account of their gender and economic situation. Women, their families, communities and economies suffer as a result.” - See more at: UN Women.

In honor of Women’s History Month and in commemoration of International Women’s Day on March 8th; WFWP USA has launched a campaign: Women Helping Women. Through the courageous work of the Arizona Chapter of WFWP in starting the Purse Drive, collecting slightly used bags and back-packs, then filling them with daily essentials like toothpaste, soap, socks, and shampoo; WFWP USA is organizing similar service projects in various chapters around the country to help women and girls.

The Arizona Chapter, under the leadership of Mrs. Rhia Clemente, and the Maryland Chapter, led by Mrs. Dottie Chiquelo, are spearheading this initiative to help women in shelters and provide them with bags and essentials that are not always possible to buy.

 If you would like to donate used purses or back-packs filled with necessities, please contact a WFWP chapter near you. Click here to find the chapter listing on the website. There are shelters in every city that would be happy to receive such a special package for their residents.

Thank you all for caring about yourselves enough to help others care for themselves.

In former President Jimmy Carter’s message to the nation designating March 2-8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week, he said:

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.
As Dr. Gerda Lerner has noted, “Women’s History is Women’s Right.” – It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.”

I ask my fellow Americans to recognize this heritage with appropriate activities during National Women’s History Week, March 2-8, 1980.

I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality – – Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul.

Understanding the true history of our country will help us to comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all our people.

This goal can be achieved by ratifying the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that “Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”