The Nineteenth

One of my most favorite authors of my youth, a centenarian at 103 years old, Beverly Cleary. Oregon was the 25th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on January 13, 1920. Ms. Cleary’s children’s and young adult books sold worldwide more than 91 million copies since 1950. As a pioneer in children’s literature, she brought emotional realism to her characters. Well awarded with top honors throughout her career, she also is the namesake of a Portland public school and statues of her characters in Grant Park in 1995. As a young student, she struggled to read and was placed in remedial groups until opening up with the help of the librarian. This person’s care inspired Ms. Cleary to receive a Master’s from the University of Washington for library sciences. Her first book, Henry Huggins, with his dog and two friends Ramona and Beezus, shared ordinary stories of neighborhood growing up. Five years later she focused on Ramona and Beezus. She has also written two memoirs later in her

Rhode Island, such a small state, but still filled with the history and women we see everywhere in the country. They pushed for equality and brought great voices to the forefront. Rhode Island was the 24th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on January 6, 1920. Ms. O’Neill left her large family of thirteen children to attend Boston College of Drama and Oratory, kick starting her career on stage and film. She founded a school of elocution in 1900. The students frequently performed at the Providence Opera House. Concurrently, she started her own career for two decades in summer stock and vaudeville shows. By 1915, she entered silent films with the Providence-based Eastern Film Corporation. By 1910, she joined the suffragist movement and campaigned for the Democrats in Rhode Island. Her skills in elocution were essential to beginning a career in politics. In 1922, two years after the right to vote was ratified, she was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives as th

Kentucky reaches a model of fashion for my blog in honor of my sister Jenn. She is my personal fashionista and socialite, keeping us both informed and entertained with a life of shows, parties, traditions, and excitement. Kentucky being one of her favorite traditions with the Kentucky Derby, an annual event we celebrate in full dress. Kentucky is the 23rd state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on January 6, 1920. We are now in the '20's! Mona von Bismarck is an American socialite coined as the “first American muse of fashion” and noted as the most fashionable woman in the world. Her life in Kentucky was always a part of her life regardless of her elite lifestyle spread throughout New York City and Paris. She was painted by Salvador Dali, revered in her day and known as one of the most celebrated socialites. A panel including Coco Chanel recognized her as the best dressed woman in the world. Marrying her first of five husbands, she had one son, Robert Henry, raised by h

This week, as I start my new project with the Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington, I am proud to tribute Carol Mutter, the first woman to be a Lieutenant General, the highest rank held by a woman. Colorado is the 22nd state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on December 15, 1919. Ms. Mutter is the first woman in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces to be a appointed to a three-star grade as a U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General. For commissioned officers in the Marines, this is the second highest rank ever given. The only rank higher is the General, and a five star could be given, but no one in the U.S. military holds that rank. When graduating from University of Northern Colorado in 1967, she was commissioned a second lieutenant (nine steps below her final role) with a major in Mathematics, she also earned a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Rhode Island. Her basic training at Quantico led her to multiple programs that trained h

Falling on December 3, 2019 we have South Dakota that ratified on December 4, 1919. This is a celebration of the 100 years. Celebrating another woman that jumped up for getting something done and being a leader of her times. South Dakota ratified the 19th Amendment on December 4, 1919. Ms. Clement’s love and aptitude for sports was carried through her career, becoming the first woman to be paid to umpire a baseball game. Born in South Dakota, she followed her brother and family around to their sporting. In 1904, her knowledge of the game paid off when she was brought in to cover for a missing umpire, being hired ongoing because her talent was so well regarded. For six years, she traveled the Mid-West states, known for her fair calling and serious style. The crowds grew for games that she was known to be officiating. Her salary of $15-25 per game funded her college education at Yankton College and then University of Nebraska. Her own sporting strengths included being the captain