Date: 2008-04-01
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I affirm today my support for H. Res. 1021. supporting the goals. ideals. and history of National Womens History Month. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this resolution demonstrating the commitment of the House of Representatives to promoting National Womens History Month. which this year celebrates female artists and their contribution of originality. beauty. and imagination to the world of art. I am proud that my home state of South Dakota has a strong tradition of women in the arts and I would like to thank South Dakotans for the Arts for its work promoting the arts and supporting women artists in my home state. Id like to describe for my colleagues some of the talented and remarkable women artists and authors that have found inspiration in hills and prairies of South Dakota. Women in South Dakota have done the work of art throughout our history. beginning with our First Peoples and continuing today. Native American women practice traditional art forms passed from generation to generation. adapting changes in materials and technique to add beauty and new texture t6 the traditional art. Their work includes the quillwork and quilts of Alice New Holy Blue Legs and Nellie Star Boy Menard. as well as the contemporary silver of Unda Szabo and paintings of Joanne Bird. Some of South Dakotas pioneer women artists arrived in the Dakota Territory after studying at major schools of art in New York. Boston. Chicago. and Paris. They helped to bring the artistic disciplines of the East and Europe to the Northern Plains. As new colleges and universities were opened in what is presentday South Dakota. women helped to found departments of art and joined the teaching faculty. In South Dakota. these pioneer artists and Mr. Speaker. I pay tribute to the women teachers included two very influential women across the country. and around the world. who who contributed both through their own art- have made history by their varied accomplishwork and through their dedication to their stu- ments. And the women who have come before dents. you and have helped lead the way for women Grace French. born in 1858. arrived in in the political arena. Rapid City. Dakota Territory in 1885. She Ms. JACKSONLEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. painted the remarkably beautiful landscapes of I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1021. the area with color and subtlety. adding poetry expressing support for the goals. ideals. and and beauty to the popular imagination of the history of National Womens History Month. I Plains and the West. would like to thank my friend and colleague. Ada Bertha Caldwell was born in 1869 and Congresswoman WOOLSEY. for introducing this graduated from the School of the Art Institute legislation. which I am proud to cosponsor. Let in Chicago. She accepted a position at Spring- me also thank the chairman of the Oversight field College at Yankton. South Dakota. In and Government Reform Committee. Chair1900. she founded the Department of Art at man WAXMAN. for bringing this resolution bewhat is now South Dakota State University. fore us today. and was a teacher and major influence for The purpose of National Womens History Harvey Dunn. a noted illustrator and painter of Month is to increase awareness and knowpioneer life on the South Dakota prairie. edge of womens involvement in history. I South Dakotans also celebrate the many tal- strongly believe that it is vital to honor the ented women in literature that have enriched originality. beauty. imagination. and multiple our lives and deepened our understanding of dimensions of womens lives. As recently as a sense of place and history with their stories. the 1970s. womens history was rarely taught American favorites from South Dakota include in schools. and was not part of public awareLaura Ingalls Wilder. Linda Hasselstrom. Kath- ness. To address this situation. the Education leen Norris and Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. Task Force of the Sonoma County. California. For these few examples and numerous oth- Commission on the Status of Women initiated ers. I am pleased to join with my colleagues a "Womens History Week" celebration for today to honor these women artists and au- 1978. In 1981. in response to the growing thors. May their contributions continue to pro- popular of womens history celebrations. vide joy. education. and inspiration to future ity generations on the Northern Plains and Congress passed a resolution making Womthroughout our Nation. ens History Week a national observance.