I can think of almost 200 reasons to celebrate women making history, and that’s each and every one of you in Athena Society.

It’s Women’s History Month! So much to celebrate and still so much to do.

“Well-behaved women seldom make history.” This quote has been attributed to many women over the years, but Quote Investigator found its earliest use in an academic paper by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, an U.S. historian.

What does that mean? How well-behaved are we saying?

Turns out that Ulrich meant that the silent work of “ordinary women” rarely made the history books as many women work tirelessly (then and now) without recognition.

Over the years the phrase has been interpreted in various ways ~ from women who speak (and act) out for positive change and also used as justification for less than favorable behavior.

I feel grateful to have the choice.

I share this quote that we’ve all heard as a friendly reminder that all the work of women ~ at this time ~ when we live in a world where all of our position statements (from early childhood development to gun safety to choice to diversity and inclusion to women running for office) are so relevant.

I’m not sure we get to choose what “well-behaved” is when equity for women around the world is sparse. We are entering a time where AI (artificial intelligence) will soon just be “intelligence.” So how we each move toward change, growth and progress for all women shouldn’t be policed but observed with curiosity.

And I choose all of the above – without judgment – until we have true equity and equality for all women. (Because we all learn differently.)

“What got us here won’t get us there” couldn’t be more applicable to the times we’re living in.

So much gratitude goes out to all of the trailblazers in history, and what a gift it is to be alongside women in Athena Society who made and are actively making history today for the betterment of generations to come.

Women contribute to our society from the household to the board room and everything in between.

Thank you for all you do. May you revel in the glory of being a woman, while getting all of your flowers and the respect so easily given to a man.

Be well,

Nancy

Some highlights this month:

• Look forward to seeing you at this month’s program: “Lifting Hope Over Hate” moderated by Cantor Deborrah Cannizzaro
• The Philanthropy Committee, led by Karla Hartley and Maureen Butler, have put together a special message and survey
• A special message from President-elect, Jessica Muroff regarding the Retreat in July
• Thank you to Carlye Morgan and the Membership committee for their hard work on putting together this year’s slate of candidates
• Thank you to Barbara Twine-Thomas, Gail Auerbach and the Bonus Committee for putting together fun programming for the remainder of the year which you can see in this newsletter
• Wit, Wisdom and Women ~ an experimental twist on Athena Talks is now live here