I find nothing more empowering than Queen B's "Run the World" track - and this week, I have it on repeat.
It's hard to believe that even just 50 years ago women really didn't hold positions of power as they do today. Women, despite having earned the right to vote in the 1920, really were not regarded as equals - and in many ways, still are not. That said, despite your political beliefs (this isn't the time or place!), we now have our first Female Vice President and there are many women who have run and are planning to run for President. That's amazing progress right there if you ask me.
And with all that progress, there is still so much work to be done. Today - March 8th - is International Women's Day. To honor International Women's Day, here are seven notable North Carolinian women to know and celebrate:
Mary Jane Patterson, from Raleigh, is the first African American woman to receive a bachelor of arts degree in the United States in 1982. Born into slavery, Mary Jane Patterson's family escaped slavery (or was freed) and resettled in Oberlin, OH. It was there that she was able to attend a one-year preparatory school that ignited her passion for education. Upon graduation from a 4-year college, she spent her career creating new educational opportunities for nineteenth-century Black Americans.
Christine Mann Darden was one of the NASA Human Computers during the Space Race. Born in Monroe, she later attending school in Asheville and went on to work for NASA before obtaining her advanced degrees from University of Virgina. You can read more about this incredible woman HERE.
Lillian Exum Clement was born in Buncombe County, NC. She attended high school in Asheville and later went on to attend the Asheville Business College at the encouragement of Edith Vanderbilt. After serving as the Buncombe County Deputy Sheriff, she went on to law school and in 1916, she earned one of the highest scores on the state bar exam among 70 students. She became a criminal lawyer in 1917 and was the first female attorney in North Carolina without male partners, all leading up to her 1921 election into the North Carolina General Assembly, the first woman elected to serve in as such.
Eliza Jane Pratt, a graduate of Queens College in Charlotte, was the first woman elected to represent North Carolina in the US Congress in 1946. Her career began as a longtime House legislative aide for a string of Congressmen from a south-central North Carolina district, which helped her developed a rapport with voters and knowledge of legislative interests in the district that eventually exceeded that of most other local politicians. When her boss, Congressman William Olin Burgin, died in April 1946, she seemed a natural choice to succeed him. When she was elected a month later, she won by a far wide margin than any of her predecessor's victories.
Beverly Perdue was not only North Carolina's first Lieutenant Governor, but in 2009 she became North Carolina's first female governor. Born in Virginia, Perdue earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and both a master's degree in education and a doctoral degree in education administration from the University of Florida. Before entering state politics, Perdue worked in education and health care - both areas of great import to her as the Governor of North Carolina.
Maya Angelou, the famous author and poet, spent the last 30 years of her life in Winston-Salem. She was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
Sandra P. Levine, a Jewish Philanthropist, was born in Anderson, SC, but moved to Charlotte as a child. She is a graduate of Myers Park High School in Charlotte and attended Women's College University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Active in numerous community activities, Mrs. Levine serves in key leadership positions benefiting education, arts and religious organizations throughout the Charlotte community. Mrs. Levine has served on the Board of Commissioners at Carolinas HealthCare System.
