Celebrating Women
It is our pleasure to bring you the fourth annual Our Minds, Our Voices Women’s Expo and Awards Luncheon. We attribute our success to the many individuals and businesses that continue to support this initiative. Our Minds, Our Voices proudly supports “National Women’s History Month” and it’s purpose. Women associated with Durham and the state of North Carolina have made unbelievable sacrifices and contributions for the betterment of our citizenry.
Gia Wilkerson-Peebles
I am Gia Wilkerson Peebles, a passionate entrepreneur for over twenty years and master stylist in the cosmetology industry.
The Aura Galleria's third annual “Our Minds, Our Voices” luncheon, and program will honor trailblazing women in an array of fields.
This powerful event recognizes our honorees who are making a difference in education, medicine, social justice, public service, civil service, mental health, entrepreneurship, humanities, technology, and fashion and beauty.
Former Honoree's
National Women's History Month
In 1987 the US Congress designated March as National Women’s History Month. The “Our Minds, Our Voices” initiative was born in observance of National Women’s History Month and to create a special opportunity in our community to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women.
What is it, when did it begin?
March 2019 will mark the 31st anniversary of the passage of a law making March Women’s History Month in the United States. The observation,
which was born out of a California school district’s celebration of women’s achievements, now is celebrated across the country, and includes parades, lectures, health screenings, art exhibits and other activities that highlight women’s contributions to society.
What is it?
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to society.
When is it?
In the United States, it is celebrated each year in March.
Why March?
March was chosen as the month to celebrate women’s history because the first observances of Women’s History Week revolved around International Women’s Day, which is March 8. International Women’s Day, which honors women’s achievements worldwide, was first celebrated
on March 8, 1911. The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day observances since 1975.
How did it start?
In 1978, a school district in Sonoma, California, decided to honor women’s achievements by participating in a Women’s History Week event.
According to the National Women’s History Project, schools hosted essay contests, presentations by women were given at many of the
schools in the district and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa, California The following year, a two-week conference examining women’s history was held at Sarah Lawrence College. Those participating in the conference learned about Sonoma County's Women's History Week celebration and decided to organize similar celebrations within their own schools and organizations. During the following seven months, they lobbied for a declaration of Women’s History Week and in March 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.
In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R -Utah, and Rep. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., co-sponsored a joint congressional resolution calling the week of March 7, 1982, Women’s History Week. Schools across the country began to incorporate Women’s History Week into their curriculum and, eventually, the week grew into
a
month
-long observance. Fourteen states had declared March Women’s History Month by 1986. In 1987, the National Women’s History Project asked Congress to establish March as Women’s History Month. On March 12, 1987, the celebration became official when legislation was passed to designate March as Woman’s History Month in the United States.
source: www.ajc.com
