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The holidays have arrived! Although
giving thanks in feast dates back to our pilgrim heritage,
it was 218 years ago today, November 26, when President
George Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving: a day
of prayer and public thanksgiving in gratitude to the
successful establishment of the new American democracy.[1]
November 26th is also the
day of birth of Mary Edwards Walker in 1832. Dr. Walker
became a pioneering female physician who also readily
advanced her views on women’s issues. Forever wearing men’s
fashions, she opposed fashion garments that confined women
as barbaric and unhealthy. Dr. Walker served in the Union
Army during the Civil War when she earned the Medal of Honor
for her work as a nurse and surgeon – although the medal was
subsequently rescinded for lack of documentation. She also
edited an opinion journal as she struggled to grow a medical
practice during a time when society frowned upon female
doctors.[2]
Whether you celebrate to
thank God, Nation, both, or something other, the holiday
season approaches a year end that lends itself to thoughtful
reflection on our blessings, our successes, and the future
ahead. As you reflect on your BPW involvement, I offer
these thoughts of thanks:
1.
that our democracy allows us to stand for our views,
to lobby our representatives, and to change & impact the
issues we face;
2.
for the encouragement and support each of us gives
the other in our everyday courageous activities in the
manner that Dr. Walker struggled in her day; and
3.
for the small place in history we have in making way
for the women that follow us.
And these thoughts for your future:
1.
What else can I do to ensure that my future
contributions of mentoring, advocacy, and career advancement
change at least one women’s future?
2.
What else can local BPWs do to demonstrate our
democracy to our local youth so as to foster their
appreciation of what BPW does?
3.
What other steps can I take to be more of an advocate
for women’s issues?
4.
What small thing can I do to help generate new
members so that BPW will survive these economically
difficult times that are complicated by the multitude of
choices women have in deciding which organizations will
receive their volunteer efforts?
Happy Holiday!
Susan Murphy
Region 3 Co-Coordinator
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