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Women's History

Message From The President

Today, we celebrate the 15th annual induction to the Broward County Women's Hall of Fame. Many years ago, a wonderful woman, Annette Van Howe, became a member of the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women. After serving for several years, she opined that the Commission, (CSW), needed to have a History Committee, so as to preserve what women had accomplished in Broward County. That committee evolved into the Broward County Women's History Coalition.

In 1992, the first inductees were honored by the Broward County Women's History Coalition, (BCWHC). Ms. Van Howe was in the first group of inductees, along with 9 other women who had had a dramatic impact on the lives of Broward women. It is difficult to imagine that, in the 20th century, women in Florida did not have legal and judicial parity with men...but they didn't, and many say, still don't.

The women that the BCWHC have honored over the last 15 years have gone above and beyond the duties required, or expected, of them. Hall of Fame membership has no relation to a woman's elected position, employment requirements, or political affiliation. These women, our foremothers, have marched to different drummers, have actually led the band, and have refused to sit down and wait until later. They were the women marching in protest against war, against racial discrimination, against sexual discrimination, against domestic violence, against unequal education.

I am humbled when I read their names. I am grateful to be included as a member of the Hall, but, I know that there is more that I must do. Women still do not have equality under the law in our country. Florida voted NO for the Equal Rights Amendment to our Federal Constitution. How silly, to openly declare that women do not need protection under the law.

I believe that we, as women, bear a great responsibility for the legal discrimination that we suffer. We, as women, have failed to protect each other. We have allowed "others" to determine the perimeters, and parameters, of our struggle. We have failed to vote together, as WOMEN, to protect each other.

The women in the Broward County Women's Hall of Fame have stepped out, been the first in line to protest, and have stood tall in protesting gender discrimination. They have been the people who initiated programs, funded studies, and organized protests, in order to attempt to achieve parity with men. They have fought for the disabled, for the poor, for those with no voice, for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and the transgendered, for domestic partnerships, and the homeless. The women in the Broward County Women's Hall of Fame have more than stepped up to the plate. They have hit home runs!

So, congratulations to the current inductees. We, as members of the Broward County Women's History Coalition have recognized your accomplishments...BUT...we expect so much more of you. There is much to be done. We, as Coalition members, know that you will all do your best to promote, protect, and work to legislate equality for women.

Thank you for working so hard, but, don't stop now!

Patti Lynn
President, BCWHC

The Broward County Women's History Coalition
Salutes the Women's Hall of Fame Members

Fourteen Years of Celebrating Women — Their Accomplishments and Dreams

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