Report and

Recommendations

Prepared by 

The President’s Commission on the

Celebration of Women in American

History

November 15, 2000

Honoring

Our 

Past
by studying the history of America’s women - their triumphs and their

gles - can we truly understand the history of America.”

—- Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton

February 18, 2000
Honoring Our Past

Report and Recommendations

prepared by the

President’s Commission on the Celebration

of Women in American History

November 15, 2000

Commission Co-Chairs: Ann Lewis and Beth NewburgerCommission Members: Dr.

Johnnetta B. Cole, J. Michael Cook,

Dr. Barbara Goldsmith, LaDonna Harris, Gloria Johnson,Dr. Elaine Kim, Dr. Ellen Ochoa,Anna Eleanor Roosevelt,Irene Wurtzel
shed a

uld

n of

he

ent to

omen’s

ation. 

 took

ments

an

history by extending the life of theCommission to December 31, 2000.The President took thisunprecedented step to provide timefor the Commission to explore theimplementation of therecommendations outlined in theirMarch 1, 1999 report.The following report provides anoverview of the Commission’sfindings and the actionstaken by the Commissionto implement ourrecommendations. Theactivities and furtherrecommendations offered in thisreport are based on the suggestions

received in the open meetings of theCommission, by letter and throughour Website.The work of the Commission was notan ordinary process. We met as adiverse group of women whoseinterests in celebrating the historic

contributions of our sisters was clear.

As a Commission, and as

individuals, our work has had

a profound impact on us.

Like all of those who

testified before us, we too

have changed in our own

feelings about the significance of

the Commission’s mission. Today,

we understand that bringing the

“other half” of our diverse history intofocus is more than important. It isessential for the future of ourdemocracy.Throughout the two years in whichthe Commission deliberated, we weregreeted with universal enthusiasmaround the country. In each meeting,participants expressed theirappreciation for the leadership of thePresident and First Lady in makingthis work possible. TheCommissioners join these leaders inexpressing our appreciation for theprivilege of contributing to thisimportant effort to tell the whole storyof America’s history. 

Commission shall make recommendations to the President,

gh the Co-Chairs of the Commission, on ways to best acknowledge

elebrate the roles and accomplishments of women in American

ry”

— Executive Order 13090:

Establishing the President’s Commission 

on the Celebration of Women in American History

July 2, 1998
COMMISSION REPORT 1

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increase in the inclusion of women’shistory in elementary and secondaryschool curricula. Credit was given toThe National Women’s History Projectfor raising the national awareness ofthe importance of women’s history bycreating March as National Women’sHistory Month. The NationalWomen’s History Project was citedagain and again as a national resourcedeserving greater support. Women’s history organizations andhistorians in both the public andprivate sectors often equated“support” to a need for underwriting.The Commission found that alongwith a growing interest in the field ofwomen’s history, there is a parallelgrowth in the need for funding tosupport the research, documentation,and resulting projects that suchinterest spawns. At every meetingand in the majority of ourcorrespondence, we heardthe case for financial aid.Suggestions includedestablishing an annualwomen’s history fundraisingevent, creating a women’s historygranting organization, anddeveloping public-private

partnerships to fund challenge grants.The Commission was also asked tocreate official recognition of projectsthat could be used to lend credibilityto funding requests.Despite the absence of fundingsources, we found a growing body ofinformation in new books, articlesand journals, a coordinating councilfor women in history to encouragenetworking at local and nationallevels, and conferences for historiansand historic sites. There is moreattention to the importance ofpreserving the papers of womenpioneers, an increasing emphasis onoral history projects to preserve thestories of women in every walk oflife, and an increasing number oftelevision dramas on both Public

Broadcasting Stations and Lifetime

cable television dealing with

notable American women. 

There is also a growing

trend to preserve women’s

historical sites. Congress

acknowledged our need to focus

attention on these sites by creating

the Women’s Progress CommemorativeCommission. The purpose of our sister

commission is to determine andrecommend to the Secretary of theInterior what sites of importance towomen should be preserved. We areequally proud of the leadership inhonoring women of history by federalagencies, including the National ParksService of the Department of theInterior, the National Archives, theDepartment of Education, the GeneralServices Administration, NASA, Libraryof Congress, and the MillenniumCouncil.As the appreciation for the value ofrecognizing women’s historyincreases, we found an even greaterdemand: • more public recognition of the

contributions women have madeto building this country 

• more emphasis on bringing history

to life by connecting excitingacademic discoveries withcommunity celebrations, schoolclassrooms and the popular culture

• more attention to ways in which

as we honor our past, we

acknowledge the role that womenhave played, and imagine a futurein which women’s lives andachievements are fully valued. 
LEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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dual goals of creating awareness anddocumenting the contributions ofwomen to American life. This millennialagenda begins at the national level,reaches across the country with 10recommendations for states,communities and local organizations,recommends a focal point in thenation’s capitol and provides achallenge to the popular culture. At the national level, the Commissionrecommended designing anddisplaying a travelling exhibit, writingand distributing a how-to communityhandbook, and building a nationalumbrella women’s history website. At the community level, theCommission recommended tenspecific activities that localorganizations could undertake.These suggestions includeddeveloping archives,involving young womenand men in historyprojects, documentinglocal women’s history trailsand erecting historic markers,creating city spaces, local exhibitsand honor rolls that highlight womenin the local community, and holding“Her-itage” celebrations. 

As an agenda for the nation’s capital,the Commission recommendeddesignating a women’s history site inWashington, D.C. and creating animportant millennial celebration ofWomen’s History Month. During our second year, wecontinued to meet in public sessionsacross the country. These sessionswere conducted to elicit bothfeedback on our recommendationsand ideas for implementing them.We broadened our audience through

media interviews with mass-marketprint and broadcast outlets. TheCommission Co-Chairs also acceptedseveral invitations to speak on behalfof our recommendations. The response to our efforts was

positive and constructive. The

initial excitement and

enthusiasm for the work of the

Commission translated into

action on several of our

initiatives. We inspired

activity everywhere, gaining

participation from national

organizations and local clubs in

communities across America. Wewitnessed national celebrationsmarking the 80th Anniversary of the

Women’s Suffrage Amendment andcreated a national millennialcelebration of women’s historymonth in Washington, D.C.We recognize that ours is a work inprogress. While many of ourrecommendations have beenadopted and creatively adapted, webelieve that there are underlyingprinciples that must beacknowledged and addressed. 1. There is an urgent need for

funding to continue the researchand documentation required tointerweave women’s history intothe nation’s history.

2. There is acknowledgement

among women’s organizationsthat leadership from the WhiteHouse through a permanentPresidential Commission on theCelebration of Women inAmerican History would increasethe visibility of women’scontributions to our society.

3. There is a growing tide of support

for bringing the stories of womeninto the popular culture. 
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developed and marketed onbehalf of the Commission to focuson women in American history. 

We believe that if implemented,

these recommendations will ensurethat future generations will continuethe vital work begun by PresidentWilliam Jefferson Clinton and FirstLady Hillary Rodham Clinton tosecure women’s rightful place whenwe tell the stories of Americanhistory.

REVIEW OF 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In the detailed report that follows,we include both our observations onwhat is needed to strengthen orsupport each recommendation inour first report and what wasactually accomplished subsequentto filing it.

THE NATIONAL 

AGENDA 

We Recommended Design and Display a TravelingExhibitThe Commission recommendedcreation of a traveling exhibit thattells the story of women’s history. Weenvisioned its installation in

communities throughout the

country during our millennial

year.

We Implemented

The National Women’s

Hall of Fame mounted a

travelling exhibit in honor of

Women’s History Month, March,

2000. The exhibit featured panels onwhich the picture and story of eachhonoree was outlined under a bannersignifying the field in which thewoman made her contribution. Bothliving and dead women were

included. The exhibit was funded byEastman Kodak and displayed at theairport in Rochester, New York. A smaller version of the exhibit wasmounted at the request of theCommission and displayed at theU.S. Custom House (One BowlingGreen, New York) in conjunctionwith the United Nations Beijing + 5meeting. Several thousand visitorswho gathered to discuss women’srights as human rights visited thisexhibit. Next Steps

While the Commission was unable tosecure the additional fundingnecessary to continue travelling thisexhibit, we remain convinced thatsuch an exhibit is both feasible andan excellent investment for sponsors.The high levels of interest amongthose who saw the show reinforceour conviction that graphicrepresentations in public spaces willcreate new awareness of women’scontributions to our society.Therefore, we encourage theNational Women’s Hall of Fame toseek funding for a permanenttravelling exhibit. 

COMMISSION

REPORT

3

The President’s Commission on the Celebration ofWomen In American History has taken a dramatic andvaluable step in uncovering women’s place andcontributions to the nation. By developing the firstroadmap to this other half of our story as a nation, itsets us on the path to collect and preserve women’shistory. The Commission is to be congratulated onbeing inclusive and unbiased yet pragmatic andvisionary.”

— Wilma L. Vaught

Brigadier General USAF (Ret.)
LEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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project and specific suggestions forgetting started. We also gatheredand published a wealth ofresources for the amateur historian.There are listings of websites thatlink to multiple other sites withsimilar topics, relevantorganizations with their phone andfax numbers, and over 200locations where women madehistory. Through thecooperation of theNational Archives,every state and territoryis included in the section ofHistoric Places.To date, we have distributed over10,000 copies to libraries,organizations and individualsthroughout the United States.

Next Steps

The Handbook should be a livingdocument where resources may beadded or deleted and best practicescan be highlighted. The Commissionencourages the General ServicesAdministration to find a home for thispublication and continue to increase

its value by keeping it up-to-date. 

THE COMMUNITY

AGENDA

We recommended 

Undertake a project that

centers on a woman or women

from your communityWe recommended ten projects for

community action in the Women’s

History is Everywhere (Handbook).Projects included telling the story ofwomen’s suffrage, finding anddocumenting the hidden women inlocal communities, establishingstatewide women’s history initiatives,honoring the work of women’sorganizations, developing a map oflocal women’s history sites, creatinga women’s history park, building acooperative community project suchas designing and placing historicmarkers, encouraging youthfulparticipation by girls and boys,creating women’s history exhibitsand holding all-inclusive Her-itagecelebrations.We Implemented

In order to ensure a strong level ofactivity for the ten recommendedprojects included in the Handbook,the Commission partnered with theGeneral Federation of Women’sClubs. The Commission met with theGFWC national board to encouragetheir members to commit to at leastone project. In addition,Commission Co-Chair BethNewburger met with state andregional GFWC groups.The Handbook was posted on theCommission’s website and promoted

“The recognition which Paulsdale received in theinitial report of the President’s Commission on theCelebration of Women in American History gave a veryspecial boost to the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation’scampaign to save the property. Funders suddenly satup and took notice. We are thrilled to report that wehave subsequently raised the funding needed torehabilitate the property and will begin constructionin March, 2001.”

—Barbara Irvine 

Trustee, Alice Paul Foundation
COMMISSION REPORT 5

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AGENDA FOR THE NATION’S CAPITOLWe RecommendedDesignate a Washington, DCWomen’s History SiteAt every hearing in the two years ofits existence, the Commission heardconcern about the invisibility ofwomen in Washington D.C.,especially among the institutionsdedicated to teaching andcelebrating our nation’shistory. The difficultiesencountered in movingthe statue of the suffragetteleaders out of the basement ofthe Capitol, and the fact that theSuffrage exhibit at the SmithsonianMuseum of American History is stilldesignated as temporary, were citedby speakers before the Commission

as examples of the problems that canbe expected. On the other hand, thesuccess of the National Museum ofWomen in the Arts and the hightraffic at the new Women in MilitaryService of America Memorial areexamples of the support and interestthat accompany seriousrepresentations of women’s real rolein our lives. Therefore, The

Commission concluded that

appropriate celebration of

women’s history in the

nation’s capital should

include designation of a

focal point for women’s

history. 

We Implemented

Rather than create a single focalpoint, the Commission published abooklet describing 14 sites ofhistorical significance for women in

the nation’s capital. Following thesuccessful example of the NationalParks Service and our own suggestionto create a women’s history trail, wecreated the first one in Washington,D.C. The booklet titled Women WhoMade History, A guide to Women’sHistory Sites in Washington, D.C.includes a map, directions for usingpublic transportation to reach eachsite, hours, website address, and ashort description explaining the site’shistorical significance.Virginia Williams, mother ofWashington, D.C. Mayor AnthonyWilliams, endorsed the booklet andurged that it be included in everyDistrict school library. To date, wehave distributed over 15,000 copiesthrough local libraries, schools andembassies throughout themetropolitan region.Next Steps

The sites included in Women WhoMade History are the most visibleones in the region. We know thatfurther research could expand thepublication and therefore enrich theexperience of visitors to the nation’scapital. This work would requirefunding and could be undertakenthrough a public-private partnership.

“There is no way I can thank the Commission enoughfor their work. Without their support, the EleanorRoosevelt Papers would still be a dream in my heart.Their skillful use of the bully pulpit for women’s historyshed light on our projects, helped us clarify ourstrategy, broadened our networks, and sustained ourfaith in times of financial uncertainty.”

—Allida Black, Research Professor of History,

The George Washington University.
LEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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ration

onth in

very

any

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nal

d

en’s

d

en

y in

gested

d

n to

ge and

l

ite

atives

owd of

y Hall,

United States Capitol, on March 22,2000 to listen to 15 women membersof the House and Senate recount theinfluential women in their lives.Commission Co-Chair Ann Lewis andCommissioner LaDonna Harriswelcomed the attendees whoincluded an African women’sdelegation from 17 countries andSen. Orrin Hatch, the sponsorof the CongressionalResolution twenty yearsago to recognize March asWomen’s History Month.The Commission created acelebration earlier in the day thatincluded the dedication of the ClaraBarton Missing Soldier’s Office, aproperty that was discovered by theGeneral Services Administration

during demolition of a row of preCivil War townhouses and preservedat the urging of the Commission. The Women Who Made History Guide was launched as part of thecelebration. Eighty middle-schoolchildren from a Washington, D.C.

school attended the dedication and

were given a guided bus tour of

several listed women’s history

sites. Dr. Allida Black,

Director of the Eleanor

Roosevelt papers at the

George Washington

University and General Wilma

Vaught (Ret.), founder of the

Women in Military Service forAmerica Memorial at ArlingtonNational Cemetery were among thevolunteer guides.

Next Steps 

Based on the success of theMillennial celebration in the Nation’sCapital, the Commissionrecommends creating an annualcelebration to mark Women’s HistoryMonth in Washington, D.C. Thiscelebration will continue to act as acatalyst for focusing the attention ofour nation’s leaders on the issues ofinclusion in telling the story ofAmerica’s history.We RecommendedA Challenge and Opportunity for thePopular CultureWe continue to believe that we must

do a better job of teaching ourchildren and ourselves aboutwomen’s history, in our classrooms,museums and archives. But the mostpowerful means of telling thesestories is through the popular culturewhich reaches every one of us. Weurged our friends in the media, toconsider the possibilities offered bydramatic events involving women. We influenced

Both Public Broadcasting Systemsand Lifetime Television haverecognized the value of presenting 

“The President's Commission on the Celebration ofWomen in American History provided a pivotal publicforum for organizations, archivists, librarians,teachers, community activists and interestedindividuals to give voice to the importance ofcelebrating and recognizing women's lives. TheCommission's work validated the importance ofcreating and sustaining a national priority toinfluence all American institutions to honor theimportant contributions women have made toAmerican culture and history.”

— Molly MacGregor, President and Co-Founder,

National Woman’s History Project.
COMMISSION REPORT 7

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WE RECOMMEND

4 STEPS TOCREATE A LEGACY

We RecommendEstablish a Permanent PresidentialCommission to Celebrate Women inAmerican HistoryThe response to theCommission was positiveand supportive. However,many of the hundreds ofsuggestions offered during ourmeetings will require a Commissionwith a longer life span than ours toevaluate. More importantly,however, was the dismay andfrustration expressed by community

leaders when they realized that theirprojects could not be accomplishedwithin the timeframe required forPresidential recognition through ourCommission. We all know that themerit of our mission should besignificant enough to inspire

continued support for our

recommendations. However, we

are also realistic enough to

recognize that people are

more likely to respond to

support from the most

powerful office in the land

than to anyone else.

We recommend that an elevenmember bipartisan Presidential

Commission be established.Commissioners would be appointedby the President for a three-year term.

They would meet at least four timesper year. The purpose of the Commission is tocontinue to incorporate the stories ofAmerican women into themainstream culture. Part of the wayin which the Commission will meetits mission is to act as jury for theproposed President’s Women MakingHistory Award. We Recommend 

Establish Annual President’s Women

Making History AwardIn the same way that the weight of thePresidential commission moves peopleinto action, so will the establishment ofan Annual President’s Women MakingHistory Award that honors influential

women in American history. ThePresident’s Women Making History

Award would bestow an honorequivalent in importance to otherPresidential rank awards and wouldestablish the fact that American womenare, indeed, worthy of recognition.The Commission would invite thespouse of the President to be thehonorary chairperson of thePresident’s Women Making History

Awards Committee.

“We celebrated another major milestone for women.President Clinton announced the first female spacecommander, Colonel Eileen Collins, at a White Houseceremony. At the Shuttle launch we convened special eventsfor organizations for women and girls and discussed withfemale pioneers in aerospace the past, present and future ofwomen in aerospace. During her flight, Col. Collins chattedvia internet with girls across America. We look forward tocontinuing our [women’s outreach] initiative andsupporting the goals of the Commission.”

—Terri Hudkins

Manager, Women’s Outreach

Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters
s that

n of

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o have

 to

sted

lived

e alive

ht

n each

ds for

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ey

ll of

e

s. The

 might

y but

are in no way suggested to limit thescope of the awards.Category 1: Activism & Service.Nominees in this category havedemonstrated a commitment tocommunity activism and communityservice. This could include the workof women who fought for the right tovote, women who marched for civilrights, native American women whostruggled for rights and culturalrecognition, women who help feedthe homeless, and women who raisefunds to combat breast cancer.Category 2: Creativity. This category

could include all women who havecontributed creative endeavors to oursociety. This could include fine arts,literature, scientific exploration,innovative technology, etc.Category 3: Valuing Families.This category recognizeswomen for theircontributions in valuingfamilies. This could includewomen who courageouslysupported their families while theirhusbands fought overseas, membersof the “sandwich” generationresponsible for the simultaneous care

of their young children and elderlyparents, women who advocate forreformed family law, single womenraising families, and women living inpoverty who manage to raise collegeeducated children.Category 4: New Americans. This

category includes women new to theUnited States who have overcomecultural barriers and are the pioneersfor the growing diversity in the 21stcentury. For example, this couldinclude African women who werebrought to this country as slaves inthe 19th century, Hispanic farmworkers, Russian-born women whoimmigrated in the early 20th centurywith no knowledge of Americancustoms, European Jews whosurvived concentration camps during

World War II, and today’s

immigrants.

The President’s Women

Making History Award

will be presented by the

President and spouse at an

Annual Women in American

History Awards Presentation. We

recommend that the gala event benationally televised to achievemaximum recognition. This annual

production, similar in scale to theKennedy Center Honors, would bringwomen’s history into the popularculture with the certainty of annualrecognition for the contributions ofwomen to the nation.We RecommendEstablish a Partnership with aFoundation for Women in AmericanHistoryThe Commission recognizes thatpreserving the symbols of our past isonly the first step toward ensuring theplace of women in our history books.We must work to make sure that ournation knows these stories. Time,money and continuous outreach isneeded to achieve this goal. That willrequire both the endorsement of thePresidential commission and theconsistency of a non-profitorganization whose purpose is tomake it a reality. During the two years in which theCommission met, we heardpowerful examples of soundscholarship told in creative,determined styles. Again and again,we searched for mechanisms to

LEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY
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rust for

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ill

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eports

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ards. 

The Foundation will then preparedocumentary and visualpresentations on each of the awardrecipients based on archival dataand interviews with thecontemporary recipients. Thesedocumentaries will be shown at theAnnual Women in AmericanHistory Awards Presentation galaevent. The Foundation will plan andsponsor the gala event. In its role asproducer, it will be responsible forraising the necessary funds in muchthe same way that the National Trustfor Historic Preservation supportsthe Millennial Save America’sTreasures campaign. Any profitsfrom the annual event will be usedto award grants to academic andcommunity projects that meet thecriteria established by theCommission. The grants awarded bythe Commission wouldbe reviewed by anindependent panel ofhistorians, teachers, projectdirectors, and community leaders.The panel will forward theirrecommendations to the 

Commission for approval. Grantsmay cover start-up and/or operatingcosts traditionally excluded bygranting organizations. Existingprojects will be eligible. TheCommission will encourageproposals that fall within theguidelines recommended in theMarch 1, 1999 report. Part of theirwork will be an annual review andupdating of the guidelines. The foundation may also produce abody of publications that continueto provide guidance for historiansand community leaders on thesubject of documenting women’scontributions to American life. The Commission may select anestablished foundation with which

to partner or may choose to work

with a foundation created for

the express purposes

outlined here. In either

case, the foundation will

be required to prove its

fiscal independence and

will not be funded by the

Federal government.

We Recommend

Publish One or More Publicationswith a Commission ImprimaturThe success of the Commission’sCommunity Handbook and Women’sHistory Guide to the Nation’s Capitalsuggests that there is a market forCommission publications. A singlemention in Parade Magazine generatedapproximately 96,000 requests for thepublications.Marie Salerno, the award-winningauthor of the New York Citycommemorative pop-up book, andher publisher, Rizzoli Press, haveproposed creating a book of women’shistory artifacts for the Commission.The book will carry the endorsementof the Commission and be an officialMillennial Council project. It will bedistributed through gift shops athistoric sites and through the FederalConsumer Information Center.Proceeds from the book will benefitSave America’s Treasures.The Commission encourages otherauthors and publishers to considerproducing commemorativepublications that could benefit thepublic-private partnership envisionedin this report.

COMMISSION REPORT 9
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

BERS

on the

of

he

n of

Going

vard

 at the

nt.

l 

ess

n

ive at

New

f

ards.

Dr. Johnnetta B. ColeAtlanta, GAPresident Emerita, Spelman Collegeand Presidential DistinguishedProfessor of Anthropology, Women'sStudies and African American Studiesat Emory University. Author.Received numerous awards,including honorary degrees from 41colleges and universities and the firstEleanor Roosevelt Education Awardon the 75th Anniversary of theWomen's National Democratic Club.J. Michael CookGreenwich, CTChairman and CEO of Deloitte &Touche. Chairman of the Board ofGovernors of the United Way ofAmerica and Chairman of the Boardof Catalyst, the nation's leadingorganization for the advancement ofwomen in business.Dr. Barbara GoldsmithNew York, NYAuthor and social historian. Hasreceived three doctorates andnumerous awards for four best-sellingbooks emphasizing the lives of women.In 1998-99 Other Powers: The Age ofSuffrage, Spiritualism and theScandalous Victoria Woodhull hasreceived three major awards. Also, Ms.Goldsmith is a national leader in thepreservation and conservation of ourcultural heritage and served on thePresidential Commission for

Preservation and Access. She writes forThe New Yorker and the New York

Times. She has been elected to theAmerican Academy of Arts andSciences.LaDonna HarrisBernalillo, NMPresident of Americans for IndianOpportunity. Founding member ofthe National Urban League andCommon Cause.Gloria T. JohnsonCamp Springs, MDPresident of the Coalition of LaborUnion Women, Chair of the IUEWomen's Council and Director of theUnion's Department of Social Action.Elected a Vice President of the AFLCIO in 1993, the second AfricanAmerican woman to hold thatposition. Received NAACP's FirstAnnual Pathway to Excellence Award"Women of Labor."Dr. Elaine H. KimBerkeley, CAAuthor, film producer, and Professorof Asian-American Studies andComparative Ethnic Studies andAssociate Dean of the GraduateDivision at the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley. Co-Founderand Member of the Board ofDirectors of Asian Women United ofCalifornia and Co-Founder of AsianImmigrant Women Advocates.

Dr. Ellen OchoaHouston, TXMission Specialist Astronaut at theNASA Johnson Space Center. Hasreceived numerous awards, includingseveral NASA Space Flight Medalsand the Albert Baez Award forOutstanding Technical Contributionto Humanity from Hispanic EngineerNational Achievement Awards.

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

Chicago, ILExecutive Director of the BrainResearch Foundation, an affiliate ofthe University of Chicago. FormerDirector of the Mayor's Office ofProgram Development for the City ofChicago. Chair of the RooseveltWarm Springs Foundation and VicePresident of the Franklin and EleanorRoosevelt Institute in New York.Irene WurtzelWashington, DCPlaywright, freelance writer andteacher of play writing. Winner of theMargo Jones Play Writing Award, theJane Chambers Award for outstandingwoman playwright and a Cine Awardfor a documentary film script on thehistory of the American labormovement. Former Chair of theBoard of the Family and Children'sTrust Fund of Virginia, a commissionaimed at preventing domesticviolence and child abuse in Virginia.
COMMISSION REPORT 11

ING

ns

March 15, 1999Washington, DCThe White HouseMillennium Evening: PresentingCommission Report to President BillClinton March 16, 1999Washington, DCState Plaza HotelSeptember 8, 1999Portland, ORPortland Marriott - DowntownJanuary 18, 2000New York, NYNew York Public LibraryMarch 21-22, 2000Washington, DCWhite House Conference Center/Clara Barton Missing Soldiers’Office/Capitol RotundaJune 6, 2000New York, NYU.S. Custom HouseNovember 15, 2000Washington, DCGeorge Washington University

SPEAKERSALBUQUERQUEEvelyn Lance BlanchardIndian Welfare Activist/GraduateStudent, American StudiesUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM Dr. Veronica E. TillerPresident, Tiller Research, Inc.Author - Tiller’s Guide to Indian

Country

Albuquerque, NMBridgid O’FarrellVisiting ScholarWomen’s Research & Education 

Institute

Washington, DCMolly Murphy MacGregorCo-FounderNational Women’s History ProjectWindsor, CAMillie SantillanesCivic Activist, Retailer Author - Nuestras Mujeres

Albuquerque, NM 

Karen K. StaserFounder and PresidentNational Museum of Women’s HistoryWashington, DCCHICAGOCathy BonnerPresidentBonner Inc.Founder, Women’s History Museum:Institute for the Future, Dallas TXAustin, TX Christine Helen GrummExecutive DirectorChicago Foundation for WomenChicago, IL Norma L. SeledonDirectorMujeres Latinas en AccionChicago, ILJean S. HuntFounder & Former PresidentChicago Area Women’s History 

Conference

Chicago, IL 
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

ucation

ty 

ons 

n

ject

ustry 

Eileen R. MackevichPresident and Executive ProducerChicago Humanities FestivalChicago, IL Peggy A. MontesChair, Cook County Commission on 

Women’s Issues

Chicago, ILWilma L. VaughtBrigadier General USAF (Ret.)PresidentWomen In Military Service For 

America Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Washington, DC Brook M. WisemanExecutive Director and CEOGirl Scouts of ChicagoChicago, IL Lynn Y. WeinerProfessor of History and Associate 

Dean

College of Arts and SciencesRoosevelt University ChicagoChicago, IL Amina J. DickersonDirector, Corporate Contributions Kraft Foods, IncNorthfield, IL 

Mary B. Richardson-LowryCommissionerDepartment of BuildingsCity of ChicagoChicago, IL WASHINGTONDorothy Ruth FerrellNational Woman’s PartySewall-Belmont HouseWashington, DC Edith MayoCuratorial Consultant National Museum of Women’s 

History

Washington, DCSister Dolores LiptakPresidentArchivist, Congregation for Women’s 

Religion

Trinity CollegeWashington, DCSarah LarsonExecutive DirectorReston Historic Trust for CommunityRevitalizationReston, VA 

Dr. Page Putnam MillerDirectorNational Coordinating Committee forthe Promotion of HistoryWashington, DCBarbara IrvineFounding President and FoundationTrustee, Alice Paul Centennial 

Foundation, Inc.

Chair, Capital Campaign Committee Mt. Laurel, NJ

Maxine S. Scarbro

PresidentGeneral Federation of Women’s 

Clubs

Charleston, WVThe Honorable Pat SchroederPresident and CEOAssociation of American PublishersWashington, DC Mary Ellen HenryDepartment of History U.S. Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MDDr. Roya Ayman DirectorIndustrial Organizational ProgramInstitute of TechnologyChicago, IL 
COMMISSION REPORT 13

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tions 

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Rev. Imagene B. StewartNational PresidentAfrican-American Women’s ClergyAssociationWashington, DC Dr. Cynthia HarrisonOrganization of American HistoriansHistory Department and Women’s 

Studies Department

George Washington UniversityWashington, DCDr. Janet HauberResearch ScientistProgram Manager of the Nuclear 

Cities Initiative

U.S. Department of EnergyWashington, DCElise BryantSenior Staff Associate George Meany Center for Labor 

Studies

Washington, DCLinda WittResearch FellowWomen In Military Service ForAmerica Memorial Foundation, Inc.Arlington, VA

The Honorable Louise SlaughterU.S. House of RepresentativesCongresswoman Rochester, NYEllen LovellDeputy Assistant to the PresidentAdvisor to the First Lady forMillennium ProgramWashington, DCKaren NussbaumDirectorWorking Women DepartmentAmerican Federation of Labor andCongress of Industrial OrganizationsWashington, DCAnn NewhallExecutive DirectorNational Publications and RecordsCommissionNational Archives and Records 

Administration

Washington, DCBetty DooleyPresidentWoman’s Research and EducationInstituteWashington, DC

Belen RoblesPresident and CEOBelen Robles and AssociatesFormer PresidentLeague of United Latin AmericanCitizens El Paso, TXWEST COAST SPECIAL FACTFINDING SESSION PARTICIPANTSFacultyBarbara ChristianAfrican-American StudiesUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CAWanda CornArt HistoryStanford UniversityPalo Alto, CA Loni DingFilm/Chinese American StudiesUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA Estelle FreedmanHistoryStanford UniversityPalo Alto, CA
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

can 

eyeyey

Raka RaySociologyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CALuara RossNative American StudiesUniversity of California, Davis Davis, CA Mary RyanHistoryUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CAJane SinghAsian-American StudiesUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CAUla TaylorAfrican-American StudiesUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CAKhatharya UmAsian-American StudiesUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA 

Gradute Student ParticipantsKarina CespedesVernadette GonzalezEungie JooPriya KandaswamySara KaplanJodi KimSusan K. LeeSandra LiuMimi NguyenEliza NohIsabelle PelaudRowena RoblesMary RomeroAmy SadaoIrum ShiekhHarriett SkyeCaroline StreeterBeatriz TapiaAngelina VillafaireKathy YepATLANTA Coretta Scott KingMartin Luther King, Jr., Center For 

Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.

Atlanta, GA 

Linda Chavez-ThompsonExecutive Vice-PresidentAFL-CIOWashington, DC Elizabeth EngelhardtGraduate Student, Women’s StudiesEmory UniversityAtlanta, GAAli P. CrownDirectorEmory Women’s CenterEmory UniversityAtlanta, GAJudy Heuman

Assistant Secretary of EducationOffice of Special Education and 

Rehabilitative Services

U.S. Department of EducationWashington, DCDr. Vera RubinObservational AstronomerMember, Association for Women in 

Science

Washington, DC
COMMISSION REPORT 15

dinator

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en

Jeannie JewNational PresidentOrganization of Chinese-American 

Women

Bethesda, MD Linda T. MuirDirector, Legislative and Regulatory 

Matters

BellSouth CorporationAtlanta, GASuzanne McDermott Singer, writer, guitarist, painterCharleston, SC June Griffin Bill of Rights Bicentennial CommissionMedal of Honor winnerDayton, TN Mashadi Matabanc Senior, Women’s StudiesSpelman CollegeAtlanta, GAEdith Mayo Curatorial Consultant National Museum of Women’s HistoryWashington, DC

Dr. Allida M. BlackHistorianMember, Board of DirectorssEleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-KillWashington, DCDr. Will Randall Visiting Professor John Cabot UniversityRome, ItalyFaculty, Champlain CollegeBurlington, VTDr. Nancy NahraVisiting Professor of HumanitiesJohn Cabot UniversityRome, ItalyFaculty, Champlain CollegeBurlington, VTRosemarie Garland ThomsonAssociate Professor of EnglishHoward UniversityWashington, DC PORTLANDJune TremainCareer Development and ArticulationSpecialistOregon Department of Education

Susan ButruilleColumnist, The Woman’s JournalMary RoseCo-Chair, Women InternationalLeague for Peace and FreedomMolly Murphy MacGregorCo-Founder, National Women’sHistory ProjectSally KranzDirector, Public RelationsGeneral Federation of Women’sClubsNEW YORKLynn SherrAuthor and ABC News ColumnistNew York, NYRon LawAssociate Regional AdministratorGeneral Services AdministrationNew York, NYEllen CheslerSenior Fellow, The Open SocietyInstituteNew York, NY
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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Ann D. GordonAssociate Research ProfessorHistory DepartmentRutgers UniversityJosie FernandezSuperintendent, Women’s RightsNational Historical ParkSeneca Falls, NYPaul LeClercPresident and CEONew York Public LibraryNew York, NYCatharine StimpsonUniversity Professor andDean of the Graduate School of Artsand ScienceNew York UniversityNew York, NYElizabeth HubbardDirectorNew York OfficeHubbard and Revo-Cohen, Inc.New York, NYElinor GuggenheimerFounder, Childcare Action CouncilNew York, NY

Linda GordonDepartment of HistoryNew York UniversityNew York, NYLiz AbzugAttorney and Adjunct Professor,Urban StudiesBarnard College and ColumbiaUniversityNew York, NYMary Ann OppenheimerExecutive DirectorNational Women’s Hall of FameSeneca Falls, NYMarilyn BeroPresidentNational Women’s Hall of FameSeneca Falls, NYMeredith WagnerSenior Vice President of Public AffairsLifetime TelevisionNew York, NYDianne MillerAssistant Professor,University of GeorgiaAtlanta, GA

WASHINGTON, DCLauren SupinaDeputy Assistant to the PresidentDirector of White House Office ofWomen’s Initiatives and OutreachWashington, DCJoyce AntlerSamuel Lane Professor of AmericanJewish history and CultureBrandeis UniversityBoston, MAKaren K. StaserFounder and PresidentNational Women’s History MuseumWashington, DCBrigadier General Wilma L. Vaught,USAF (Ret.)President, Board of DirectorsWomen in Military Service forAmerica Memorial FoundationArlington, VAMarty LangelenEconomist and AuthorWashington, DCVirginia WilliamsActivistWashington, DC
COMMISSION REPORT 17

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General Federation of Woman’s ClubsLagniappe Woman’s ClubLiterary and Civic Club 13115 Todd AvenueBaton Rouge, LA, 70815Club honored six club women whosework in GFWC programs has madesignificant contributions to thecommunity. Also cooperated withthe Louisiana State Archives on anexhibit honoring DistinguishedWomen of Louisiana in the fields ofathletics, arts, government, military,communications and entertainment. General Federation of Woman’sClubs New Jersey State Federation ofWomen’s ClubsWest Essex Woman’s Club36 Beechwood RoadWest Caldwell, NJ 07006Six club members participated in oralinterviews about various historicalperiods. The interviews were enteredat the Women’s History and ResourceCenter. Club members alsoresearched lives of local prominentwomen, compiled a booklet andhonored the women as West EssexWomen of Achievement. 

General Federation of Woman’s Clubs Paradise Valley Woman’s Club4350 E. WinchcombPhoenix, AZ 85032Club enlisted the support of nearly20 service groups as well as local,city and state agencies to promotesafety awareness in their community. The Lake Forest Woman’s Club1705 Surrey LaneLake Forest, IL 60045Club created a new board position ofHistorian to sort through records andwrite articles periodically for theClub newsletter about theorganization’s rich 98-year historyGeneral Federation of Woman’s ClubsJunior Woman’s Club of Racine740 Lake Avenue Racine, WI 53406Initiated a process to continuouslyupdate the history of theiraccomplishments. General Federation of Woman’s ClubsMiles City Woman’s ClubP.O. Box 743Miles City, MT 59301Started a program called “Let’sCelebrate Women in OurCommunities” to collect historicalinformation about local women’s

organizations. The group purchaseda large cupboard and installed it inthe Miles City Public Library where itis being used to store historicmaterials. General Federation of Woman’s Clubs Sylvester Woman’s Club2508 Jacqueline CircleMoultrie, GA 31768This group of 60-75-year old womenrenovated and decorated theirbuilding which is an historiclandmark. They published a “Past &Present” cookbook featuring historicrecipes. General Federation of Woman’s Clubs Somis Thursday Club24141 Village 24Camarillo, CA 93012The Club is located in an oldschoolhouse that is on the HistoricLandmarks of Ventura County, CAlist. The Club creates scholarships fordeserving high school seniors. 
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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Lyndhurst Woman’s Club368- Wilson AvenueLyndhurst, NJ 07071For the past five years, our club haddisplays in March, in the town library,honoring women in history. General Federation of Woman’s Clubs Tullahoma Woman’s Club709-Wilson AvenueTullahoma, TN 37388Our 130-member club volunteered2704 hours of community serviceand recycled 9 tons of materials toactively support women and familyrights as listed in the Constitution. The Women’s Club of Orange604 Fifth Street P.O. Box 543Orange, TX 77631The Club initiated and dedicated theOfficial Texas Historical Marker onApril 9, 2000 at the Clubhouse tohonor the women who started theclub as a Reading Club in the late1800’s. The founders continued topromote reading by starting a libraryin the Clubhouse in the early 1900’s.

Florida Federated Woman’s Club ofDistrict 71520 South Pointe DriveLeesburg, FL 34748The Club compiled informationabout women who have beenhonored and made a “difference”in their communities. General Federation of Woman’s Clubs Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club, Inc.671 SE Stow TerracePort St. Lucie, FL 34984The Club created a special Woman’sHistory Month celebration on March15, 2000 to honor a century-oldmember, Carolyne Reed. Ms. Reed isa World War 11 Veteran who foundedthe First Congregational Church of PortSt. Lucie. Second Speaker was authorand columnist, Strelsa Schreiber. Herbook, “The Early Years of Port St. Lucie,Florida, A Personal Memoir” gives amodern version of history.High Springs New Century Woman’sClub, Inc40 NW First AvenueHight Springs, FL 32655The High Springs New CenturyWoman’s Club is celebrating their100th birthday this year, 2000. Acommittee was selected to research

women who have made a differencein High Springs, Florida. Theydocumented the founder and firstPresident of their club and selectedwomen who were the first or founderof noteworthy projects. A luncheonwas held to honor these women. Agallery display was mounted todocument their achievements.General Federation of Woman’sClubs Peterstown Woman’s Club110 Thomas StreetPeterstown, WV 24963The Peterstown Woman’s Clubhonored 101-year old Gladys Larewfor her contributions to MonroeCounty, West Virginia. Among hermany accomplishments, she was thefirst woman to vote in the county,started the hot lunch program forschool children, and served asmidwife for over 30 births. General Federation of Woman’sClubsMetropolis Woman’s Club4439 Crestwood RoadMetropolis, IL 62960The Club was established in 1897 asa woman’s literary society and in1908 became a part of the General
COMMISSION REPORT 19

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Women of Achievement in MarylandHistory, Inc.12125 A Veirs Mill RoadSilver Spring, MD 20906The Women of Achievement inMaryland History project willchronicle the evolving roles andhard-won rights of women inMaryland history. The project’sprimary objective is the publicationof a book recounting women’s historythroughout the lives of individualwomen whose spirit,accomplishments and determinationhave created the fabric of today’sMaryland.Girl Scouts Lone Star Council Area IIJanice Jentsch216 E. HumphreysSeguin, TX 78155Each troop is focusing on a chosenwoman in history. They will researchand plan how to deliver theirinformation. Their delivery willinclude skits, costuming, song,dance, readings, etc. On a selectedweekend, 500-700 girls and adultswill gather for a camping weekend.Each troop will give a 5 to 10 minutepresentation on their chosen woman.Each troop is making an individualquilt square reflecting their historical

woman to include in a millenniumquilt. On Saturday, each girl andadult will go from tent site to tent siteto learn something about each troop’swoman of focus.The Prudence Crandall MuseumJunction Routes 14 & 169Canterbury, CT 06331-0058The Building is site of the first schoolfor young black women, establishedby Prudence Crandall in 1833. Theschool initially opened in the winter of1832 as one to educate children fromlocal upper-middle class whitefamilies. When Sarah Harris, a youngblack woman, approached PrudenceCrandall about entering the studentbody, Crandall was faced with havingmany white students withdrawn,having the school fail — or finding away to remain open. Her solution wasto close the academy and reopen onApril 1st, 1833 with all black students.Though she faced legal action from theState of Connecticut, harassment andviolence, she stood strong until a mobattack on Sept. 9, 1834 forced her toclose the Academy. The museum’sinterpretation honors PrudenceCrandall, Connecticut’s State FemaleHero, and the courageous actions ofher student body. The Museum Hosts

“Annual Prudence Crandall Day” onLabor Day weekend to particularlyrecognize these events.Edna Dean Pemberton9438 Sohpora DriveDallas, TX 75249In Dallas Texas on March 18, 2000 atthe Concord M.B. Church located6808 Boulder Drive, 2000 women ofall cultures gathered in fellowshiparound exhibits, conversations, andrefreshments. The highlight of theevent was the grand march of allwomen with their own culturalattire/flag. The theme song is “Letthere be peace on earth and let itbegin with me.”Vickie Lewis1243 S. Forest DriveArlington, VA22204Coffee table book highlights thestrength and courage of women inmilitary service through poignantphotographs and personal narratives,offering a fresh perspective onAmerican history. An inspiring book,with more than 150 images from theAmerican Revolution through DesertStorm. it is a moving and thoughtprovoking tribute to Americanheroines.
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

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OTHER CERTIFICATES OF MERITMethacton High School’s Women’sPerformance Group1001 Kriebel Mill RoadNorristown, PA 19403Dianna Diatz421 Mount Vernon AvenueAlexandria, VA 22301-2233Stephanie A. Patterson6040 DeLong RoadIndianapolis, IN 46254 Michelle Sisco5540 Danville HighwayLebanon, KY 40033General Federation of Woman’s ClubsIFC75 Excalibur CourtLafayette, IN 47905General Federation of Woman’s ClubsMesquite Club, Inc.Post Office Box 14424Las Vegas, NE 89114General Federation of Woman’s ClubsOconomowoc Woman’s ClubW385 N5045 Lakeshore DriveOconomowoc, WI 53066
COMMISSION REPORT 21

WLEDGEMENTS

e extend our thanks to the women and men who attended our meetings, at their own expense, to share their ideas with

on. Their thoughtful testimony shaped the concepts in this memo and provided the priorities for our work. 

cannot accomplish their missions without competent staff. Ours was beyond compare. Martha Davis and Cindy Gilbert

chedules flawlessly. April Kaufman and Eleni Martin managed our media outreach superbly. Aprill Springfield recorded

d with inordinate patience.

cial notes of appreciation to Sondra Seba, Agency Representative at The White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and

r unique talent for ferreting out resources in the women’s community enriched our deliberations. We also recognize the

tributions of Professor Allida Black, Director, the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, and Molly Murphy MacGregor, Co-Founder of

Women’s History Project. 

ally grateful to Steve Trachtenberg, President, George Washington University, for recognizing the importance of our

dent Trachtenberg’s comments, delivered at the event he created in our honor, are a model for every University President

 serve as a guide for raising awareness of the contributions of women to American history.

, Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, our thanks for saving the Clara Barton

rs Office and allowing us to dedicate it at our Millennium Women’s History Month Celebration. To Ellen Lovell, Deputy

 President and Advisor to the First Lady for the Millennium Program, our thanks for inviting us to present our report to

on at a special White House Millennium Evening. To Dave Barram, Administrator, General Services Administration,

of applause for allowing us to continue our work well beyond the originally envisioned one-year time frame.

ormous gratitude to President William Jefferson Clinton for his vision and encouragement. He took the unusual step of

ife of this Commission so we could implement many of the recommendations included in this report. To Senator Hillary

on, whose inspirational words guided us throughout our journey to discover our foremothers, a special vote of thanks.

s report as a testimony to our past and a hope that the future we imagine will include women as equal partners in the

s America.

eth Newburger

 2000 
ng the Commission Report, The White House Millennium Evening, March 15, 1999

nna Eleanor Roosevelt, Irene Wurtzel, LaDonna Harris, Gloria Johnson, President William

n Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, J. Dr. Barbara Goldsmith, Dr. Elaine

h Newburger, and Ann Lewis (Not pictured: Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Michael Cook)

CELEBRATION OF

WOMEN IN

AMERICAN

HISTORY
ce of the Press Secretary

g, Peoples Republic of China)

July 2, 1998

XECUTIVE ORDER

- - - - - - -

MMISSION ON THE CELEBRATION

EN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

esident by the Constitution and the laws of the United

deral Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C.

 role of women in American history, it is hereby

 established the Presidents Commission on the

n History (Commission). The Commission shall be

mbers appointed by the President from the public and

members shall include such persons as the President

e Assistant to the President and Director of

recommended by and who shall be the representative of

ces. The President may designate two members as Co

vate sector members shall represent entities interested

rican history, particularly the history of women in

de, but need not be limited to, academic institutions,

ns, public interest organizations, arts and humanities

ments, athletic groups, and organizations devoted to

inorities and women. The private sector members shall

ment employees.

ssion shall make recommendations to the President,

mission, on ways to best acknowledge and celebrate the

men in American history. Recommendations may

sibility of a focal point for womens history located in

Washington, D.C., and the use of the latest technology to connect existing and plannedwomens history sites, museums, and libraries.

(b) The Commission shall meet to carry out its work concerning the celebration of

women in American history.(c) The Commission shall report its recommendations, through the Co-Chairs of theCommission, in a final report to the President by March 1, 1999.Sec. 3. Administration. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall, to the

extent permitted by law and where practicable, provide the Co-Chairs of the Commissionwith such information with respect to womens history in America as the Co-Chairs mayrequest.(b) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation for their work on theCommission. While engaged in the work of the Commission, members appointed fromthe private sector may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu ofsubsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in Governmentservice (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).(c) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, theGeneral Services Administration shall provide the Commission with funding,administrative services, facilities, staff, and other support services necessary for theperformance of the functions of the Commission. With respect to the Commission, theAdministrator of General Services shall perform the administrative functions of thePresident under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, except that ofreporting to the Congress.(d) The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the submission of its final report.WILLIAM J. CLINTONTHE WHITE HOUSE,June 29, 1998