Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. I am proud to say the US is leading the way, turning International Women History Week into a whole month. The rest of the world needs to catch up! So take a moment to celebrate the wonderful women in your life. I have included some links about the month and women.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011179.html

http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended2.cfm?ListID=58

http://www.nypl.org/branch/features/index2.cfm?PFID=214

http://usparks.about.com/od/womenshistsites/National_Parks_Commemorating_Women.htm/

I thought about posting about famous women in history this month, but you can google that. Instead I will post about women in my history, those who helped shape me (for better or worse) into the woman I as today. I'll start today with the two that have influenced me the most. One who has know me since before I was born and one I have never met.

The first, obviously, is my mom. She carried me for nine months and raised me and my brothers, almost all by herself. She took me to girl scouts, soccer and softball. She told me I could do anything if I tried. And while no one is perfect, she is the one who influenced me most growing up. She is the one who raised me to be independent and stubborn. So, Mom, you only have yourself to blame on that one! So, thanks, Mom!

The second is less obvious. She is Roger's mom, Jane. I never met her because she died when Roger was 13, four years before he met me. But her impact on my life is still very large. And while I did not know her, I know her heart. I know her four children and the adults that they have become. I know she had a kind heart, because her children do. It is what lead Roger to medicine. And I see it in David and Will when they interact with their nieces and nephew. I know what kind of mother she was, because I see how her daughter Julie is with her children and mine. So, thanks, Jane.