Remember the Ladies!

March is Women's History Month and as someone who graduated with a history degree (with a concentration in U.S. women's history no less) I would be remiss if I didn't mention something about this fantastic month.  There are inspirational, strong, remarkable women everywhere.  These women are all over our lives - in our families, in Congress, teaching our children, making a difference in their neighborhood or around the world.

I have many female role models, but one of the most fantastic women ever (in my humble opinion) is Abigail Adams.  I identify myself as a feminist and consider Abigail as one of the first feminists.  While many people consider early America a man's world, they all had women in their lives.  John Adams may have written the Declaration of Independence but he sought out and listed to to sound advice of his wife, Abigail.  She famously told John to "remember the ladies" when he and the other Founding Fathers started to set up the new American government after the Revolutionary War.  She knew that women had something to contribute to the new country and that they should have a voice.  After all, these women were the ones that raised patriots, were married to them, dealt with food shortages and attacks by the British army, held down homes and farms while the men were off fighting for independence.  And even some women fought themselves, were spies or nursed the soldiers.  They had wanted and fought for this revolution just like the men.

Abigail was lucky to be educated by her father and find a husband who truly thought of her as his partner and counselor.  The letters that they exchanged their entire married life are a tribute to how highly John valued the opinion of his wife.  And rightly so.

So while he and the other men who established the government didn't exactly remember the ladies the women still continued to make an impact by doing what they do best: carrying on with everyday life.  And Abigail Adams is just one example of the many women who helped the American Revolution succeed.

So take time to reflect on other women, both contemporary and in past generations, who have made on impact on our world or just you.