March is National Women’s History Month and the theme for 2016 is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.”
What perfect timing for me! I have just finished reading two wonderful books about the first two women on the Supreme Court who have worked tirelessly to make this a “more perfect union.”
In “Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World,” Linda Hirshman alternates between these two amazing women’s stories. Sandra Day O’Connor, as the first woman of the Supreme court, said that it was great to be the first, but she didn’t want to be the last. She was a product of the West, growing up on a ranch. She was a Christian and a Goldwater Republican, whereas Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a liberal, Jewish ACLU lawyer. But, with all their differences, their experiences in the world trying to make it as women were very much the same. The pair truly transformed the courts – and America in the process – to make it a more hospitable place for women.
I loved “The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Erin Carmon even more than “Sisters in Law.” Ginsburg has a plan for gender equality that she has been building on, brick by brick, case by case, since her early days as an ACLU lawyer. Did you know that she also has a rap song written about her? She truly has become an icon.
While we are knee deep in the primaries, this might also be a good time to reflect on the first ladies who were swept into service – often whether they liked it or not. My favorites are Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt, but I should probably also read about our current first lady, Michelle Obama. And then, of course, there is also our current female candidate and first lady, Hillary Clinton.
There are so many wonderful women leaders whose stories deserve to be read and told: the first female governor, the first female representatives, the first female senator. I’m excited to read about the first female Cabinet member, Francis Perkins, who was the “The Woman Behind the New Deal.” There are so many! So I did what I always do and made a list. I invite you to read along and celebrate National Women’s History Month with me.
