Shout Outs to Our Women’s History Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advocates

by Sheila Ferguson
I am a feminist and womanist scholar. Thus, Women’s History Month is my time of year for reading, going to the theater, and celebrating the accomplishments of women. In March, the nation celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. ”

Across the annals of history, the number of women advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion is limitless. Thus, I want to salute Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Johnson, Honorable Karen Bass, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Treasury Chief Lynn Malerba. They are a diverse group of women whose lives are centered on advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

According to the National Women’s History Alliance, this March 2024 National Women’s History Month celebrates the theme of “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The thrust recognizes “women throughout the country who understand that in fostering a positive future, humankind must eliminate bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions.”

American women from every walk have long realized that any unlevel playing field will not create equality or justice. Thus, many must speak up and work harder for fairness in our institutions and social interactions. In 2024, The Women’s History Alliance will recognize the example of women committed to embracing everyone in the quest for freedom and opportunity and teaching young people to appreciate hearing different voices to succeed.

Building on the successes of American women is essential. Here are some of the best models of women facilitating equity, diversity, and inclusion:
Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed on April 7, 2022 as the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court. The lifetime appointment passed by fifty-three votes to forty-seven in the U.S. Senate, with three Republicans supporting the Democrats. “Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation,” U.S. President Joe Biden stated.

Karen Bass is a Democratic U.S. congressperson. She became the first woman to lead the nation’s second-largest city when she was elected mayor of Los Angeles in November 2022. Her election is symbolic of “The people of Los Angeles are sending a clear message: It is time for a change, and it is time for urgency.” I remember watching Bass’s acceptance speech where she says, “I intend to hit the ground running on homelessness and crime.” She has done just that.

Marcia L. Fudge is the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Throughout her career, Secretary Fudge has worked to help low-income families, seniors, and communities across the country.
Secretary Fudge served as U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio from 2008 to March 9, 2021. She was a member of several Congressional Caucuses and past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

As a member of Congress, Secretary Fudge earned a reputation for tackling the unique challenges of her district by collaborating with her Congressional delegation and across political ideologies. In 1999, Secretary Fudge was elected the first female and first African American mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, a position she held for two terms. As mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, she adopted one of the state’s first vacant and abandoned property ordinances.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is the first woman to head the Treasury and chair the U.S. Federal Reserve. U.S. Treasury Chief Lynn Malerba is the first Native American to serve in that role. Both became the first women to have their signatures printed on U.S. banknotes in December. Yellen suggests that considerable progress has been made in “providing greater economic opportunity for women at the Treasury and economics. But much more needs to be done.” Malerba states, “Truly, two women on the currency for the first time is momentous.”
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The 2024 Women’s History Month Focus indicates that women are on the move to create new pathways and openings for success. These women recognize the importance of serving as role models, guides, and mentors. In keeping with the words of the first female Supreme Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the late Supreme Court Justice stated, “It’s wonderful to be the first to do something, but I didn’t want to be the last.”

References
USA Facts on Women
35 Sandra Day O’Connor Quotes From The First Female Associate Justice | Kidadl
Gender equality: These are the women who made history in 2022 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
27 Historic Firsts For Women In 2023 (forbes.com)

Sheila Ferguson is a regular contributor to The Cleveland Observer. Ferguson writes about mental health and the best life topics for BIPOC.