Whereas, American women have played and continue to play a critical economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of the life of the Nation by constituting a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home; and,

Whereas, American women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our Nation; and,

Whereas, American women of every race, class, and ethnic background served as early leaders at the forefront of every major progressive social change movement; and,

Whereas, American women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and other movements, especially the peace movement, which create a more fair and just society for all; and,

Whereas, Despite these contributions, the role of American women in history has been overlooked, in literature, and the teaching and study of American history; and now therefore be it,