Celebrating Woman's History Month

Men typically don’t celebrate WHM, the significance in the
celebration is the accomplishments and historical achievements
of women nationally and globally. Throughout history recorded
and otherwise women have played a pivotal role in helping to
shape the building of this nation (United States of America).
Let’s not forget woman’s contributions in building and
supervising Kingdoms, Dynasties, Governments, Empires,
Principalities, Cities and Villages. It must be highlighted
that women managed homes, families and businesses while men
went off to military service, religious callings, civil/civic
responsibilities, divorce, through abandonment, and death of
the man. This is not a minority or Black thing, but women of
all nationalities, colors, races and cultures have experienced
similar situations and circumstance. This creates a dynamic
sisterhood that has voyaged over time.

In the 19th, 20th and 21st century it is not uncommon for
women to be on City Councils, Chairpersons on
Executive Boards, Mayors of cities, Physicians, Judges,
Law Enforcement Directors, CEO’s, CFO’s, Presidents of
Fortune 500 businesses; there are currently 15 Fortune 500
companies run by women, and 28 Fortune 1000 companies
(http://money.cnn.com/).

In metaphorical terms the glass ceiling has holes, crevices,
in some places smatterings that have changed perceptions of a
woman’s ability to lead and inspire. In business, technology,
science, education and Armed Forces circles it is taboo to
compliment women on their managerial styles and accomplishments.
Thus in the eyes of self imposed denial and incorrect perceptions
by men; men are not always the best managers. Data of businesses,
military records and educational graduations of students reflects
the successes of women in managing businesses and people.
The perfect example of women’s success is in the classrooms,
hospitals, on battlefields, in courtrooms, on Judges Benches
of this nation. Women have managerial skills, intuitions,
perceptions, instincts, and emotional interpretations that
are better than many men. Our next President maybe Michelle
Obama because of her sharp intellect, down to earth
rationalization, dedication as a mother, role model,
community activist, and quick wit and humor (no disrespect
to President Obama intended).

In the areas of education, industry, business, science,
economics, the opportunities to advance in these growing
and influential areas have resulted in prospects that have
granted women to gain necessary education skill sets,
managerial abilities, critical thinking and decision making
skills to take administrative positions of leadership
successful. Women especially minority women value education
and the empowerment it brings. Their presence is evident on
the college campuses and digital classrooms of our colleges
and universities. For 2009 high school graduates, the college
enrollment rate was 73.8 percent for young women and 66.0
percent for young men nationally. Women’s enrollment is
increasing while in some cases men are declining
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Women have become more
aggressive in obtaining an education because they realize
that they cannot always depend on a man to take care of them.
At the graduate level, the percentages of degrees awarded to
women have been steadily increasing, reaching 21.1% of master’s
degrees and 17.6% of Ph.D.’s in 2004 (National Center for Women
& Information Technology). Men having children out of wedlock
and are being forced to support these children so their ability
to have access to finances becomes limited. When involved in
other relationships or seeking to continue their education men
find their options are limited because of financial responsibilities.
Education allows women to have options, they are not left to “pick”
from what is left over or scramble to find a mate for fear being
alone or having someone take care of them. Women are now taking
care of themselves, their children and their man (if they choose to have one).
Woman’s ability to manage a business is already embedded in a woman.

The level of intelligence, critical thinking skills, and
organizational abilities are present. Learning to communicate
on multiple levels is not always a learned skill, but an instinctive
asset that many men grow to respect, fear and admire in women.
The recent conferences Keystone Leadership Conference of
Boys and Girls Club of America (over 800 girls approx.),
Keepin It Real 3: For Girls and Women (over 150 girls),
and the upcoming Blogging While Brown in
Jacksonville, Florida headed by Tiffany Duhart (Managing Director/
Marketing/Media of BlinkVirtualBuzz ) are showing the growing
influences of women in business, science, education and technology.
There are similar groups locally and nationally that work to build
girls to women;

In the local environment; Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, YWCA,
Project: Woman To Woman, Inc, local TEAM UP programs
in schools, The Bridge and others. Women such as Melinda Henry
owner of DEEN Wellness Center, a nationally recognized Fitness
and Health Professional. Teaching a certified and nationally
recognized Diabetes education program. Elexia Coleman-Moss,
Executive Director and Founder of Empowerment Resources Inc.,
“Journey Into Womanhood” has influenced girls to graduate
from high school and seek higher education degrees.
She models to her girls in the organization by her community
involvement as President of JCCI Forward and involved
in other community initiatives. These organizations are
mostly not for profit, but have a mission and vision
to empower girls and women of diverse ages, cultural and
ethnic backgrounds. The responsibility is to teach girls,
young women, teens and in the case of Project: Women
to Women for older women 18 and up,
to become leaders and positive role models in their
schools, communities and places of worship.

The Future Is Now
Increasing opportunities in STEM
(Science Technology Engineering Math)
are waiting for women to be involved and take the lead in
research/development in areas of aerospace, cancer research,
deep sea exploration, biomedical research, space exploration,
robotics, environmental sciences and new careers that have
not been developed yet. Technology empowers women to
accomplish future historical feats that will influence the world.
These careers are allowing women to gain higher salaries,
professional rewards in education (PhD. Degrees) and
positions of leadership in government and international
business. Bill Gates has commented about
growing involvement of girls and women in technology
world-wide. His comment in Saudi Arabia about women
being half the work force there that, "...if you're not fully
utilizing half the talent in the country (women), you're not
going to get too close to the top," the
top being leaders in futuristic fields that are saturated with STEM.

The United States should take notice of the talents and gifts in
girls and women if they are to be competitive in the global economy.
Daddies little girl (if there is a father present) are building robots,
making scientific discoveries, building futuristic cars, performing
surgery over the Internet, curing diseases, remotely flying space
craft to far off worlds, exploring deep oceans, are making the world
and soon the universe take notice of their presence.
Celebrations for Women’s History Month goes beyond
just a single month, but growing weekly by the achievements
and accomplishments of women.
Cheryl Williams a single mother raised three boys, a
Registered Nurse for 25 years, business owner
(Sister2SisterCatering of Jacksonville, Florida),
mentor and involved in her church comments that,”
this new generation of women will have the opportunity to solve
many global issues; medicine, health care, energy, environmental
concerns, just to name a few. Given this the missing ingredient
is a better knowledge of STEM and strong reading ability.
These gifts and talents provide the power to solve
challenges in our world.

Technology will continue to change this world we live in.
So women you are the force behind the force…
So may the force be with us as women and as a force of nature."

Girl and Women Power is Awesome and Growing.