Barbara Mikulski: “as Dean of the Senate Women, I rise on this day in Women's History Month to honor the unique contributions women have…”

“as Dean of the Senate Women, I rise on this day in Women's History Month to honor the unique contributions women have made to America since its beginning and to pay my respects to all the forgotten women who have served this country. Women's roles in history are often overlooked and undervalued. But we have shaped, and continue to shape, society--not only in terms of battles fought and won--but through great social movements. Women were the driving force behind the abolitionists, who helped end slavery and fought for the fourteenth amendment. And, of course, women led the suffragist movement, which sought to curb domestic violence by ending drinking and gave women control of their lives with the right to vote. The list goes on and on--and it is still growing. Last month, we said goodbye to a true pioneer for women's rights-- Betty Friedan. Ms. Friedan opened Americans' minds to the possibility of a new role for women in our country with her book, ``The Feminine Mystique.'' She provided the spark in 1963 to launch another movement for women's rights. And she kept that fire going--dedicating her life to fighting for equality, founding the National Organization for Women and NARAL, and cofounding the National Women's Political Caucus with Gloria Steinem and myself. Last month, Maryland and the world also said hello to another female star in her own right--Kimmie Meissner of Bel Air, MD, who took sixth place in Olympic women's figure skating.…”