Editorial: During March, recognize women’s impact on our world

Countless females across the centuries have steered the course of America’s history with their steadfast determination.

Editorial is the opinion of Gilroy Life

Every March, Americans celebrate National Women’s History Month. It is an opportunity to appreciate women’s varied, and often under-recognized, accomplishments throughout the past.

This year’s theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” serves as a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and front-line workers during this ongoing pandemic. It recognizes the thousands of ways women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.

The month-long celebration helps us recognize through media, political speeches, and classroom learning activities the many contributions women have made across the centuries to improving the world. We can look at the actions they have taken in history and in contemporary society and see the significant contributions they’ve made for a better quality of life.

Countless females across the centuries have steered the course of America’s history with their steadfast determination. From reaching for the right to place their votes in the ballot box to breaking barriers in science, the business world, athletic fields and battlefields, women have stood resolute in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles to realize their full measure of success. Women’s History Month provides us with an occasion to recognize the contributions women have made. We can honor throughout the month of March those who blazed trails for women’s empowerment and equality.

International studies demonstrate that when the economy and political organizations of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and challenges. Females are likely to be the prime initiator of outside assistance, and play an important role in facilitating or hindering changes in family life.

Here in the South Valley, we can honor many of the women leaders who work to make the quality of life for our residents so much better. Many of these women will be honored by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce’s Spice of Life awards event that will be held March 26 at the Gilroy Cinelux.

They include Dr. Kathleen Rose as the 2022 Woman of the Year for her work in promoting higher education at Gavilan College; Andrea Nicolette as Volunteer of the Year for her involvement in the YMCA; Nicky Austin as Educator of the Year, dedicated to working with students to help them gain an appreciation of the sciences; Alyssa E. Gonzalez, a GECA senior who loves exploring and broadening her understanding of biology and society; and Toni Bowles, the founder of The Neon Exchange, the Small Business of the Year.

The female history-makers of tomorrow are in our classrooms today. Let’s encourage young girls to believe they can make a difference in providing healing and promoting hope.