House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the former first lady Betty Ford are among the inductees to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The ceremonies were held in the New York village of Seneca Falls where the first ever women’s rights convention was held in 1848.
Former First Lady Betty Ford was considered a groundbreaking U.S. President’s wife and remembered for her grace in handling controversial issues during her time. Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974 and had radical mastectomy. The then first lady shared her story to inspire women and encourage them to have regular breast examinations. She also founded the Betty Ford Center to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction and chemical dependency.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was inducted to the hall for her groundbreaking contributions to U.S. politics in the last 25 years. Representing the 12th district of California, Pelosi focused on creating jobs and empowering the middle class.She is the first woman to become the leader of an important political party when she became the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002. She also became the first female Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011. She also paved the way for the passage of historic legislations.
“The 2013 Inductees again represent the spirit of Seneca Falls and the groundbreaking events that inspired the nation and the world. We are grateful for the work of all the women we honor this year as their pioneering achievements have opened doors for so many. These great women include those who have pioneered work in economics, treatment of addiction, education, obstetrics, and the political arena. Their efforts impact the lives of both women and men, girls and boys, and provide us with outstanding examples of the importance of perseverance, commitment and the desire for change,” expressed Co-President of the Board of Directors Beverly Ryder in a press statement.
The hall also honored Ina May Gaskin known as the mother of modern midwifery; Julie Krone known for her 3,700 career wins in horse racing and recognized as the best female jockey of all time; Kate Millett, a feminist activist, author of “Sexual Politics,” and professor who fought for equal education for women; and Emma Hart Willard, who founded a girl’s school at her home in the 1800s and fought for equal education for women.
Mother Mary Joseph Rogers,MM who founded the first US-based congregation of religious women, Maryknoll Sisters; Bernice Rasnik Sandler, an advocate of female educational equity who filed 250 sex discrimination cases against educational institutions in 1970 that eventually led to the passage of Title IX prohibiting such discriminatory acts; and Anna Jacobson Schwartz, considered as one of the best monetary scholars of the world in the twentieth century were also honored.
The National Women’s Hall of Fame was founded in 1969. It is the oldest organization of women that recognize the achievements and contributions of American women in society through business, government, arts, education, humanities, athletics, science, and philanthropy. The organization selects inductees every other year. The hall, since its inception, has inducted 247 women.
There were 100 nominees for the awards this year. An independent panel trimmed down the list and selected the newest inductees.
