MARCH: Women's History Month

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.

Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California.

One of Ours

In 1978, The California Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day, and the movement spread across the country to other communities.

In 1980, the National Women’s History Project, a consortium of women’s groups and historians, which is now the National Women's History Alliance, lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.”

The month-long event was created to shine the spotlight on the many women who have selflessly given of themselves to improve the lives of their families, communities, and the world-at-large in all areas.

Obviously, women writers of yesteryear come to mind who have led the way for female writers today. There are many who came before us. Six of my favorite writers both novelists and poets are: Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice; Willa Cather, One of Ours; Alice Munro, Dear Life; Louisa May Alcott, Little Women; Emily Dickinson, Hope is the Thing with Feathers; Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How Do I Love Thee?

I have a copy of  How Do I Love Thee on my living room wall. It was artfully crafted, starting outward in a circle and spiraling round and round, ending in the center. It is still my very favorite of all poems.

          How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Who do you think has helped shape women writers of today? Who do you admire? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

                Join me on my Amazon Author Page to see all my various works:

Judy Ann Davis

 

What We Know About Worrying

                 Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow—Swedish Proverb

Are you a person who worries? With the current problems we are now facing with the COVID-19, I’m certain there is a lot of worry going on over the entire world. However, worry does absolutely nothing for our physical, emotional, or spiritual health. It makes us anxiety-ridden and often prone to blow a small situation or thought into a giant one, casting a big dark shadow upon our lives.

Generally, if we dissect our worries, we’ll find that they are either something that happened in the past or something we think that might happen in the future. So, while we’re focusing on what is bothering us, we forget to live in the present.

There are many things we can do to dispel worry and anxiety. Psychologists believe that the first thing you must do is face your fear and then refrain from unrealistic thoughts. How? Focus on mindfulness, which is being in tune with things that are happening right now. Divert your attention by doing something different like going for a walk, cleaning a closet, listening to music, solving a crossword puzzle, or working on a creative project. Lastly, devise a plan or practice problem-solving. Focus on the things you can control in a less than perfect situation.

What is my favorite way of dispelling worry? I find a quiet place, usually outdoors on our patio swing, and clear my mind. It’s my form of meditating. I also talk to myself and repeat my very favorite saying: “Never let anyone steal your joy.” At times, I have had to revise the phrase to include: “Never let anyone (or anything) steal your joy.” Whatever best works for you, do it. Yes, these are unfortunate times, but we must not give up hope and allow ourselves to hide in the shadows of despair.  

Emily Dickinson said, “Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”

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Although I don’t have a release date yet for HUCKLEBERRY HAPPINESS,” the edits are finished. Here are the cover and blurb:
 
In 1885, Emelia Stone and her sister must learn to operate their deceased parents’ bakery in a small town in Pennsylvania. A large mortgage looms on their family home. When her sister leaves town, Emelia is forced to handle the bakery and burden alone.

The Pennsylvania Railroad is searching for the perfect dessert for its passengers. Joe Sawicki, owner of Sawicki Brothers Ice Company, is certain Emelia can win the contest and the hundred- dollar bonus if she creates a special ice cream to accompany her popular huckleberry pies. He has loved her since they played hooky in grade school to explore the company’s ice cave.
 
Can Emelia find courage to stand up to the town’s bully to win the competition? And will Joe have the mettle to express his undying love and win first place in Emelia’s heart?