“A Strong Woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” ~ Gina Carey
March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to reflecting on the many notable accomplishments and contributions by strong, determined women. From suffragists and civil rights activists to modern-day politicians and CEOs, women's achievements have helped pave the way for women of today.
Last year’s celebrations were interrupted by the pandemic. Despite the challenging times we still face, the National Women’s History Alliance is determined that women's historical achievements will not be forgotten or silenced. That’s why last year’s theme – “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced” has been extended.
Silence and powerlessness go hand in hand. Silence is the unsaid, the repressed, the erased, and the unheard.
For inspiration, we can look to suffragists like Elnora Babcock or civil rights activists like Ida B. Wells and Shirley Chisholm, who championed voting rights for women and blacks. Acknowledge writers, such as Maya Angelou, Nobel Peace Prize-nominees, like Stacey Abrams, or successful CEOs like Marry Barra. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama are trailblazing women who made a difference by making their voices heard. A global pandemic could not silence our first female Vice President – Kamala Harris.
These women exemplify perseverance, speaking truth to power, despite multiple attempts to silence their voices. In doing so, they taught us that having a voice is crucial to bringing about change, inclusion, recognition, and justice—we can expose false narratives about sexual assault, immigration, gender, race, and violence. After all, it only took one woman’s voice to spark a chorus of voices to implement a cultural shift commonly known as #TheMeTooMovement.
To honor Women’s History Month, please take some time to experience stories of truly remarkable women. Pick up a book – fiction or nonfiction. Read about one of the women I reference above or discover another. There are many women, and so many issues to choose from, ranging from overcoming bias, adversity, sexism, racism, illness, or tragedy.
Please consider my Zachary Blake Legal Thriller novels. Four of my novels (Betrayal of Faith, Betrayal of Justice, Betrayal in Black, Supreme Betrayal) feature strong leading ladies who face modern-day issues, refused to be silenced, and fight for causes they believe in.
One recent example is book 6 in the series, Supreme Betrayal, released last year. The novel features Hayley Larson Schultz, a strong, courageous, young woman, who challenges the highest levels of political power to prevent a sexual predator from being appointed to the United States Supreme Court. In honor of Women’s History Month, you can order the Supreme Betrayal eBook for just $3.99.
I will leave you with this important message: Inclusive words, themes, and messages can bring us together. Silence and negativity will continue to divide us. It takes a village, male and female, together, to generate positive change. Make your voice heard on these issues, not just for the advancement of womankind, but for the betterment of our society.
Editor's Note: The Lean to the Left podcast this month is featuring interviews with several strong women, none of them particularly famous, but who are making remarkable contributions to our society in their own way. Just click on the Podcasts link above for those interviews. Meanwhile, here's a terrific article that focuses on women who are making contributions to clean energy.
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and award-winning author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series, ripped-from-the headlines, realistic fiction that speak truth to power and champion the rights of citizens in our justice system. These novels, dedicated to the social justice movement, are not only enjoyable, they educate, spark discussion and inspire readers to action. For more information, please visit www.markmbello.com. Mark also hosts the Justice Counts podcast with Lean to the Left editor & publisher Bob Gatty, presenting bi-weekly interviews focused on social justice.