Celebrating Women: A Note from Audrey Shepperd and Michelle Battle

Thank you for all the great comments and outpouring of support and enthusiasm for the blog posts in celebration of Women's History Month and for Hillary's historic candidacy! Today, we are featuring blogs from two leaders in the women's community who empower women everyday in their efforts on behalf of the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum and the National Congress of Black Women.

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Audrey Shepperd, President of the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum

PhotoWatching a woman at the forefront of national politics and on the verge of the presidency, it is sometimes easy to forget how hard and how long women fought just to earn the right to vote. I'm lucky, I am reminded every day of that struggle - within steps of my office hang the suffrage banners carried by women picketing and women in parades, scrapbook photos of them awaiting word on the final vote to ratify the 19th amendment, newsletters and press clippings publicizing the cause.

Not every woman can be so lucky - after all, I am President of a women's history museum - but we cannot forget that our grandmothers knew a time when true democracy was reserved only for their husbands. There are still women alive today - I've met them in my work and I know Hillary has met them on the campaign trail - who were born before women won access to the ballot box.

Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth and so many other brave women began standing up for women's rights in 1848, but it took roughly 70 years before women won national suffrage. By the time the 19th Amendment was passed, the first generation of history-makers had passed the torch to a new generation of women. They, in turn, passed the torch to women who fought for equality not just on election day, but every day - in their schools, in the workplace - for equal pay, equal rights, and equal access.

Now, they have passed that torch to us. Our campaign will not last nearly as long, but it is no less important. We can look forward to next November for the day Hillary will make history, and will carry us into a new era of women's leadership.

As voluntary president of the historic National Woman's Party, I have long looked forward to such a day. Over the past few months, I have phoned, knocked on doors, and traveled out of state talking about this opportunity with everyone I know. This election is our challenge, and when I think about all the hopes and hard work put forth by all the women who came before us, I will not hesitate to continue to put all of my energy into this campaign.

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Michelle Battle, Chief Operating Officer of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc.

PhotoHundreds of thousands of American citizens recognize the unique leadership qualities found in Senator Hillary Clinton and work tirelessly to ensure that she will become the next President of the United States of America. I am honored and proud to support the historic campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for President of the United States of America! Senator Clinton's campaign is an inspiration to under-represented people all over America. She brings hope and power to hundreds of thousands of citizens who have been disenfranchised from achieving the American dream.

As I reflect on the life and legacies of a few American heroines - Sojourner Truth, Shirley Chisholm and C. DeLores Tucker - I am reminded of Senator Clinton's devotion to duty. She worked relentlessly on behalf of the late Dr. C. DeLores Tucker to assist in the National Congress of Black Women's quest to place a bust of Sojourner Truth in the United States Capitol. The landmark Sojourner Truth legislation required Senator Clinton to work across the aisle to ensure that her colleagues understood the monumental value of embracing the contributions of a former enslaved African American woman whose courage is woven into the fabric of our democracy, and showcasing it for the sightseeing world to see. Sen. Clinton worked diligently year after year until the Sojourner Truth bill was passed, without media attention but with her full intention to fulfill her commitment to us.

Hillary Clinton makes history every day as she continues her campaign for the U.S. presidency. She is standing on the shoulders of Sojourner Truth, who confronted presidents to advocate for women's rights; she is standing on the shoulders of Shirley Chisholm who empowered young women from across the country to play major roles in her campaign; she is standing on the shoulders of her friend and colleague, Dr. C. DeLores Tucker who broke barriers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by becoming the first woman and African American to become Secretary of State. Senator Clinton's foundation to serve as President of the United States of America is solid and strong, as is her conviction and ability to provide solutions for America's problems - beginning NOW!