Giving Women Their Due

March is the month we celebrate St. Patrick with parades, green beer and revelry. It is also the month for women – A time when stories about women that have contributed to our quality of life (Marie Curie comes to mind) can be a media focus.

Could be, should be but … not so. Invisible are stories about the accomplishments of women. If we expect the “Month of the Woman” to be recognized, we women will have to step up to the microphone to tell the stories ourselves. A story a day sent to the “Letter to the Editor” is our responsibility to break the culture of dismissal of the many contributions of women.

I proposed a monthly column about women for our local press but was denied. So, here is the start of my attempt to educate my community on the accomplishments of some inspiring regional women who have helped shape Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay area.

Locally, Virginia P. Clagett was the first to break the glass ceiling when she was elected to Anne Arundel County Council approximately 35 years ago. Janet S. Owens became the first woman elected as county executive in over 300 years, and I broke the glass ceiling in Annapolis when elected in 2001 as the city’s first and only woman Mayor.

Veronica Tovey brought us “What’s Up?” magazine. Anna Greenberg has been a leading philanthropist and contributor to the Annapolis’ Arts community and beyond. These accomplishments have been largely dismissed by area leaders, including women and the press.

What we do have in 2025 (though not in Maryland), is proposed states’ legislation that would deny women the right to vote … A big step back over 100 years when women were not even welcome in universities of higher education.

The saying used to be, “We have come a long way, baby!” But, have we?

Legislation still proposes government control on abortion rights. An issue that should be decided by a woman or family, and a doctor. Efforts to return to the standards of times gone by, when women were to be confined to the kitchen and the bedroom, are being reintroduced again, suggested by misogynistic men, who would deny women a place and a voice in community affairs. Women need more than a month to be recognized.

It is up to us to tell the stories of the women that have made an impact on our quality of life. Who are your female heroes and mentors? Reach out, send hugs and appreciation post cards, and share their stories, which could inspire others, including those in the local media or on the internet.

The accomplishments and contributions of women are too numerous for one month. It is up to us to tell the stories of those who inspire us with their contributions. No one else is going to do it. Don’t let the opportunity pass us by into oblivion.

Ellen Moyer is a former mayor of Annapolis. She welcomes comments and idea sharing and can be contacted at [email protected].