March is Women's History Month, opens a new window in recognition of the achievements and contributions of women to society. Women have made and are continually making significant contributions to society in various professions and institutions. Women's History Month was started as Women's History Week by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women in California in 1978. Women's History Week's celebrations quickly spread across the United States. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women's History Week. President Carter penned the following message concerning National Women's History Week:
From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the First American
Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together
to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes
their contributions were unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage,
strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men
whose names we know so well.
Many United States presidents followed Carter's lead and designated the week of March 8th as National Women's History Week. In March of 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 designating the month of March as "Women's History Month." Between 1988 and 1994, additional resolutions were made requesting and authorizing the President to declare March as Women's History Month. Since 1995, each United States presidents has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as Women History Month.
Women have made many numerous contributions to society. In this series of blogs, contributions of women to written works will be highlighted. A selection of women authors, primarily New York Times best-selling women authors, will be featured along with a brief bio of the author, an analysis of their writing style, and a selection of titles available through the St. Tammany Parish Library.
Celeste Ng
Celeste Ng grew up In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Shaker Heights, Ohio. She graduated from Harvard University and earned a MFA from the University of Michigan. Her fiction and essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, and other publications. Her first novel, Everything I Never Told You, won several awards and her second book, Little Fires Everywhere, also won several awards. Her writing style draws on the diverse influences of her life, her immigrant parents, and her experiences in higher education. Themes found in her works are based on family relationships, generational cycles, and addressing issues of race, multiculturalism, and Asian/American identity.
Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett was born and raised in Southern California. Bennett graduated from Stanford University and later earned her MFA at the University of Michigan. Her debut novel, The Mothers, was a New York Times best seller and her second novel, The Vanishing Half, was an instant #1 New York Times best seller. Bennett's moving, lyrical style explores a range of themes surrounding Black identity and the ongoing impact of race, particularly in women's lives. She creates memorable and complex protagonists-sympathetic, flawed, and deeply human.
Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah lives in the Pacific Northwest. She is a former lawyer-turned-writer. Hannah is an award winning and best selling author with more than 20 novels, including the international blockbusters, The Nightingale, Winter Garden, Night Road, and Firefly Lane. Hannah writes character-driven novels that focus on relationships, particularly in families. Hope and determination in face of adverse circumstances are constant themes in her writings. Her characters are often faced with issues of parenthood, marriage, infidelity, and loss. What draws the reader is how the character deals with the adverse circumstances.
Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Springs, Maryland. She worked briefly as a legal secretary, but was fascinated by reading and making up stories. One day, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and wrote down one of her stories. After several manuscripts and rejections, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published in 1981. Roberts writes satisfying genre-crossing romantic stories, featuring passionate heroines and strong, emphatic heroes. Each of her stories emphasizes family and friend relationships, while providing details of careers and adventure. Roberts's books are said to appeal to readers who do not usually read romance novels.
Featured authors: Celeste Ng, Brit Bennett, Kristin Hannah, Nora Roberts
Add a comment to: March Highlight: Women Authors. Part 1