Think Women's History is Worth Talking About? Then Support the National Women's History Museum!

Last year, we asked our e-advocates to raise their voices in support of the National Women's History Museum, the organization working to secure support and permission for a privately-financed museum near the National Mall dedicated to celebrating and teaching about the lives, achievements, and contributions of American women. Now, legislation allowing the museum project to move forward is about to be reintroduced.

Tell your representative to support the National Women's History Museum!

Congress' blessing for the museum was almost granted last year, but there were two hold-outs -- two senators took it upon themselves to prevent the passage of the museum legislation. Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) weren't really clear on why they put a 'hold' on the museum bill, sponsored by their colleague Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). They did send Collins a message indicating that they felt the museum would be redundant with several other "women's" museums, including the Quilters Hall of Fame and the National Cowgirl Museum (neither of which are in Washington, D.C.). DeMint may have also mistakenly thought the museum would be all about abortion; he did receive a letter from an ultra-conservative "women’s group" opposed to the museum on those grounds.

The history of women in America transcends quilting and cowgirls. It’s downright offensive to claim the only thing a museum about women's history has to say is about reproductive rights.

The National Women's History Museum would be dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation's history. It would not cost taxpayers a dime -- the purchase of the land and the construction, outfitting, and maintenance of the museum would be up to the NWHM institute. AAUW strongly supports this endeavor; after all, we recognize the importance of remembering how far women have come and honoring those who have played an integral part in getting us here. And too often, women's history is absent from textbooks, curricula, memorials and other museums' exhibits.

By celebrating the achievements made by American women in a museum in Washington, we provide real inspiration to the young women and girls visiting our nation's capital. Urge your representative to support legislation permitting the creation of the National Women's History Museum when it is introduced next week!

 

http://www.nwhm.org/get-involved/promote/sign-petition

 

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PA-AAUW Woman of the Year for the Beaver Valley Branch is Nancy Mahosky.  When Nancy became the Finance Officer for the Beaver Valley Branch, she reorganized the system, enhancing our ability to interact with both AAUW and PA-AAUW.  Nancy has also done a superb job of organizing and explaining our Branch and Kitchen Tour finances.

 

 

 

               The 2011 AAUW Emerging Star Awardees are Nancy Cole and Patty Rock.  Nancy stepped right up as Co-President in her first term on the board.  She has also been an invaluable asset to both the Kitchen Tour and STEM projects.  Patty co-chairs the Reservations and Calling Committee.  The Branch also recognizes her enthusiatic and valuable assistance with the Kitchen Tour.