Student Editor: Kiara Biroo ’21 Office of Intercultural Affairs March Issue Spring 2019
This Issue
Page 1: Women’s History Month
Page 2-4: Women Who Made A Difference
Page 5-6 : Cultural Page: Remembering the Queens
Page 7: Other Queens
Page 7: Upcoming Birthdays in March & April
Page 8: Food for Thought
Kiara Biroo ’21
Student Editor Voices Magazine Public Health & Political Science majors
Voices Magazine
Women in the United States fought for equal status with a major effort
occurring during the anti-slavery movement. During this movement,
women began to appear as public speakers, which challenged the social
customs during the 1800’s. The first woman known to speak at a public
forum was Maria W. Stewart, a woman of African heritage. Her agitation
urging free black men to stand up for their rights led to the colored men
conventions. By 1833, middle class women were joining the anti-slavery
movement with prominent groups being in Massachusetts, New York,
Pennsylvania and other sites. Stewart was prominent among such groups
that advocated for the establishment of strong, self-sufficient educational
and economic institutions within African American communities. In
particular, she called upon women to participate in all aspects of
community life. "How long," she asked, "shall the fair daughters of Africa
be compelled to bury their minds and talents beneath a load of iron pots
and kettles?"
Maria W. Stewart
Born: 1803, Hartford, CT
Died: December 17,
1879, Washington, D.C.
homeland, Afghanistan. She was shot by a gunman
who opposed her views.
A year after being shot, she published “I am Malala.”
She received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17.
Emmeline Pankhurst was a leading woman of the
suffrage movement in one of the most effective
countries of protest during her time. She established
an important organization, the Women’s Social and
Political Union (WSPU), which was a leader in the
usage of the term, Woman Suffrage Movement.
Mary Wollstonecraft’s book, A Vindication of the
Rights of Women, was a feminist manifesto
published in 1792. She believed that the lack of
women’s education was used as the justification of
the supposed inferiority of women.
Women Who Made A
Difference
Dorothy Vaughan was a figurehead for women
whose accomplishments were not celebrated for the
level of achievement that was of international
contribution. She was the head of the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ (NACA’s)
segregated West Area Computing Unit from 1949
until 1958. Her mathematical genius made it
possible for the devotion to space travel. We
applaud her for her gift to humanity.
https://www.nasa.gov/content/dorothy-vaughan-biography
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai became a voice to young women to
stand up against terrorist attacks when many were
afraid to do so. She spread the courage through her
truth and beliefs that guided her to become an
activist for girl’s rights to receive education in her
Dorothy Vaughan
Emmeline Pankhurst
Mary Wollstonecraft
Lucretia Mott, a Quaker, was perhaps the most
important leader of women’s suffrage. She combined
her suffrage advocacy with her strong-willed
agitation for the ending of slavery. She was the only
woman allowed to participate in the Pennsylvania
meeting in 1833 that led to the founding of the
American Anti-Slavery Society. Years later, Mott
helped to orchestrate the first women’s rights
convention at Seneca Falls from which emerged the
Declaration of Sentiments. She was also among the
leaders who established Swarthmore College (PA) as
a coeducational institution.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/
biographies/lucretia-mott
Monument to Suffrage Pioneers Lucretia Mott
and others in the Capitol Rotunda
Sojourner Truth was one of the leading personalities
of the anti-slavery movement within the United
States as well as a leading advocate for the women’s
suffrage movement. She was born Isabella Baumfree
in 1797 to enslaved parents in Ulster County, New
York. She experienced extreme cruelty during her
enslavement and did not gain her freedom until
slavery ended in New York in 1827. She gave a
speech in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Right
Convention that propelled her to fame. In the speech,
she used the rhetorical question, “Ain’t I A Woman?”
She was quite active, similar to Harriet Tubman, in
the recruitment of soldiers for the Union Army
during the Civil War. Today she is heralded as one of
America’s greatest heroines.
https://www/history.com/topics/black-hisory/sojouner-truth
Unveiling of the Sojourner Truth Bust in the Capitol
Sojourner Truth Lucretia Mott
Editor’s Note: As a young woman growing up in
Saint Lucia, these women below allowed me to feel
confident to strive for my goals. They encouraged
me to think beyond the ordinary. They made me
feel like I can become someone who can influence
achievement in my country.
Pearlette Louisy was the first woman to be the
Governor General of Saint Lucia from September
1997 to December 2017. She is admired by all
citizens of Saint Lucia and particularly by young
women, as an inspiration for the advancement of
education achievement. Louisy spent most of her
professional life in the teaching profession,
particularly from the late 1960s through the
1980s. She later served as the first Dean of Sir
Arthur Lewis Community College, then as Vice
Principal and Principal.
Sesenne Descarte
was bestowed with
“The Honour of the
Dame Commander
of the Order of the
British Empire DBE
for her contribution
to Folk culture and
community service,
on the occasion of the observance of the 21st
Anniversary of St. Lucia Independence.
"We are not just here to recognize her
melodious voice, her capacity, her love to sing,
but we are here with her to allow our spirits to
rise with her, to find expression in all the beauty
which she has given our life, and our country.
But there is something that I think we need to
focus on. Sesenne's contribution is really
extraordinary because she has helped each and
every one of us to discover ourselves to hold on
to what has made us, to reach in the deepest
recesses our souls," Honorable Dr. Kenny
Anthony.
www.govt.lc/news/sesenne-receives-her-rightful-honour
Belle Vue crowned it La Jeuness Kweyol and Choiseul
crowned it Miss La Wenn Kweyol
Dame Pearlette Louisy
Sesenne Descarte
(Queen of Culture)
The Cultural Page
“Queen Aminatu, daughter of Bakwa Turunku, was a great Hausa warrior who inherited her mother’s strong warlike nature. Her mother built the capital of Zazzau, which formed part of the seven original states of Hausaland in the 16th century. Aminatu was just 16 years old when her mother became queen and she was given the traditional title of magajiya. Amina chose to hone her military skills and became one of the greatest warriors of Zazzau. She is credited as the architect of fortified walls in Hausaland, and as a warrior, she is known for her smart tactics as she increased the borders of Zazzau, ensuring that the kingdom became the center of the North-South Saharan trade and East-West Sudan trade. Her career as a warrior princess spanned over three decades and she is celebrated in song as “Amina daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man.”
https://www.africa.com/great-ancient-african-queens/
Makeda Queen of Sheba
Queen Nefertiti
Queen Ranavalona the First of
Madagascar
Queen Nandi of the Zulu Kingdom
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
Queen Hatshepsut
“Long before Cleopatra reigned over Egypt,
another woman held the reins of power:
Hatshepsut. We know her mainly through the
major temple built in her honor, which her
successor and stepson defaced to try to erase
her reign from memory.”
Ask Fefin
Question: Why is women’s history
important?
Answer: Ede nou aprann kiyès nou ye, men
lè nou pa konnen pwòp istwa nou,
pouvwa nou ak rèv nou yo.
Answer: It helps us know who we are by
knowing our power, and our story.
“Women’s History
Month is celebrated
at Hartwick because
for so long women
were left out of the
narrative of
American history.”
Harry Bradshaw Matthews
Associate Dean and Director
Office of Intercultural Affairs
https://www.africa.com/great-ancient-african-queens/
Upcoming Birthdays
in March & April
Cilina Jagrup
Born in America
Shania Bumbury
Born in America
Other Queens of the Ancient World
“Theodora, Empress of Byzantium from 527-548,
was probably the most influential and powerful
woman in the empire's history. Theodora had a real
effect on the political decisions of the empire to end
corruption, the rights of women in divorce and
property ownership. She forbid exposure of
unwanted infants, gave mothers some guardianship
rights over their children, and forbid the killing of a
wife who committed adultery.”
https://www.thoughtco.com/empress-theodora-facts-
3529665
Suiko is the first empress in recorded history to rule
Japan. During her reign, Buddhism was officially
promoted, Chinese and Korean influence increased,
and, according to tradition, a 17-article constitution
was adopted.
https://www.thoughtco.com/powerful-women-rulers-
everyone-should-know-3530278
Makeda Braimbridge
Born in Jamaica
Empress Theodora
Empress Suiko
“Women in Ancient Egypt had a status that may seem surprisingly modern when compared to the
status women occupied in the majority of contemporary societies. Although men and women had
traditionally distinct powers in society, it seems that there was no insurmountable barrier in front
of those who wanted to deviate from this pattern. Egyptian society recognized women not as equal
to men, but as having an essential complementarity, expressed especially in the action of
producing children. This respect is expressed clearly in the Ancient Egyptian theology and
morality, but it is certainly quite difficult to determine the extent of its application in the daily life
of Egyptians. However, it was far different from the society of Ancient Greece where women were
considered eternal legal minors.
Compared with their counterparts in ancient Greece, Rome, and even more modern places around
the world, ancient Egyptian women had a greater range of personal choices and opportunities for
achievement. Women such as Hatshepsut and Cleopatra VI even became pharaohs, while others
wielded power as Divine Wives of Amun. Despite these freedoms, ancient Egyptian women did
not often take part in official roles in the administration, served only secondary roles in the
temples, and were not as likely to be as educated as men.”
www.crystalinks.com/egyptianwomen.html
Voices Magazine
Office of Intercultural Affairs
Hartwick College
Oneonta, New York 13820
www.hartwick.edu