On this day in women’s history…
| April 9th, 2004April 10
1862: the New York State legislature (while people’s attention was centered on the Civil War) took away a mother’s right of equal guardianship over her children and the control of minor children’s person and property on the husband’s death that had been granted for the first time in history a few years before. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who had campaigned for the reform, succeeded in having it reinstated soon afterwards.
1882: (Birthday) Frances Perkins, first woman appointed to a cabinet position (Secretary of Labor), born in Boston, Massachussetts.
She then read Roosevelt her list. It contained much of what would become the New Deal’s most important social welfare and labor legislation: direct federal aid to the states for unemployment relief, public works, maximum hours, minimum wages, child labor laws, unemployment insurance, social security, and revitalized public employment service. “Are you sure you want these thing done?” She asked. “Because you don’t want me for Secretary of Labor if you don’t.”
Roosevelt never hesitated. He was convinced that the capable and strong minded woman in his study was the most qualified person for the job. “Yes,” he said. “I’ll back you.” With that, Perkins immediately accepted the post and served as Secretary of Labor the entire 12 years of the Roosevelt Administration. She was the first woman ever to serve as a Cabinet member and she served longer than any other Secretary of Labor.
1930: (Birthday) Dolores Huerta, Chicana cofounder of the United Farm Workers Union, born in Dawson, New Mexico.
1960: (A First) Women are ordained as pastors in Sweden’s Evangelical Lutheran Church for the first time in the Church’s history.
1970: (A First) New York State legislature passes into law unrestricted abortion rights during the first six months of pregnancy.
April 11th, 2004 at 1:33 am
Dolores remains a national treasure. With Cesar Chavez’ birthday (March 31), Dolores (April 10), and Henry Gonzalez (May 3)… and with our longest stretch of the year (President’s Day to Memorial Day) without a national holiday, I think an April holiday, like “Latino Leaders’Day” is the proper way to commemorate her and these other two great Americans.
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