Happy Women's History Month 2010

Hey Y'all:

I opened an email from the New York Public library and was reminded that March is Women's History Month!

Did you Know?
The public celebration of women's history in America began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week including March 8, International Women's Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month.

In celebration of Women's History Month I would like to celebrate women Authors. I have always loved the written word and would like to acknowledge the women who have encouraged me with their pens to share their words with the world.

The first woman author that engrossed me in her world by choice was Judy Blume. I say by choice because I know that I've read many books by women authors growing up but I distinctly remember reading "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." it was a life changing book (especially the part where Margaret does the "I must, I must I must increase my bust" chant/exercise) I remember reading the entire series and passing it along to my friends and family.

Here is her official bio from her website

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; and the five book series about the irrepressible Fudge. She has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters; Smart Women; and Wifey, all of them New York Times bestsellers. More than 80 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-one languages.
She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.

Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award, the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2009 the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for her lifelong contributions to the field of children's literature. She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers. Most recently Judy has completed a four book series -- The Pain & the Great One books -- for young readers, illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson, and she has begun work on a new YA novel. Judy and her husband George Cooper live on islands up and down the east coast. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

The National Women's History Project has a an overarching theme this year "Writing Women Back into History" - The history of women often seems to be written with invisible ink. Even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.

So I figured what better way to celebrate then acknowledging women who have 'written' themselves into history.

Stop by often and see who I honor.

Until next time...
MUAH!