Celebrate Women’s History Month
March was designated Women’s History Month by the U.S. Congress in 1987 to recognize the extraordinary legacy of trailblazing women and girls who have built, shaped and improved the nation through making vital contributions, often in the face of discrimination and undue hardship.
Harris County Precinct 4 invites guests from across the Greater Houston Area to its weekly celebrations in honor of Women’s History Month. Held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the Tracy Gee Community Center (3599 Westcenter Drive), the events honor the contributions of women to the nation’s history and culture and include guest speakers, film viewings and more, culminating with the Women’s Empowerment Expo on March 29. Register online or call 713.274.4050 for more information.
Women’s History Month Profile: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956) blazed an unmatched trail for female athletes before the term was even a part of the American lexicon. Didrikson, born in Port Arthur, Texas and raised in Beaumont, exceled in every sport she pursued. Legend has it that she earned the nickname “Babe” because she hit so many home runs in sandlot baseball games that she was compared with the legendary Babe Ruth.
Didrikson competed in track and field, swimming, volleyball, tennis, golf, baseball and basketball. She gained international renown in the 1932 Olympics by winning two gold medals (80-meter hurdles and javelin) and one silver (high jump) before she embarked upon a record-setting career in golf, winning a total of 82 tournaments across her amateur and pro careers. She was also a co-founder—with golfer Patty Berg—of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
Despite her accomplishments, she often faced backlash due to societal norms that generally discouraged women from engaging in athletics. She was named Associated Press (AP) Female Athlete of the Year six times and is regarded as one of the most gifted athletes—male or female—in history.
Building Stronger Communities
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners designate March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The recognition highlights how “people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities.” The goal is to raise awareness of the contributions of people with developmental disabilities (DD) in all aspects of society, while also focusing on the work still needed to remove barriers to access.
This year’s theme, Beyond the Conversation, spotlights change and innovation and encourages community action to improve educational and employment opportunities and accessibility.
Leave a Reply