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Last updated: August 6, 2008

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Women's History Month

Commonwealth senator, professor will speak at district

March 4, 2009
by Jerry Rogers
Norfolk District Public Affairs

Throughout March, Americans will reflect on and honor the diverse and historical accomplishments made by women in shaping the country's history.

This year, Norfolk District employees can reflect on those accomplishments with the assistance of noted author, educator and Virginia state senator Dr. Mamie E. Locke during a presentation 1:30 p.m., March 18, in the multipurpose room of the Waterfield Building.

The 2009 national theme is "Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet."

In researching this year's theme, illustrator Peter Hemmer of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute visualized "a woman lifting up our beautiful planet Earth with a green environment surrounding her, accentuated with bright rays of pure sunshine."

"It's a way of highlighting the efforts of all women who daily take the lead to save our planet," said Hemmer. "The woman wears a coverall uniform and work boots, signifying that many women work tirelessly day in and day out to save our planet for future generations to enjoy."

Women's history was virtually an unknown topic in the general public consciousness as recently as the 1970s. To address this historical oversight, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County, Calif. Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration for 1978.

International Women's Day, celebrated the week of March 8, was chosen as the focal point of the observance. The activities held were met with enthusiastic response, and within a few years dozens of American schools planned special programs for Women's History Week.

The efforts of many women paid off in 1981, as a congressional resolution declared a "National Women's History Week." Senator Orrin Hatch and Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski co-sponsored the first joint congressional resolution.

In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Each year, programs and activities in schools, workplaces and communities become more extensive as information and program ideas are developed and shared.

Dr. Mamie E. Locke

Dr. Mamie E. Locke graduated summa cum laude from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo Miss., with a BA in history and political science. She received her MA and PhD in political science from Atlanta (Clark, Atlanta) University. She also has certificates in management development from Harvard University and archives administration from Emory University. Locke studied Middle Eastern history at the American University in Cairo through the Fulbright Scholarship program.

Dr. Locke has participated on numerous panels of political science and women’s studies organizations as a guest speaker, addressing various political issues and topics on race and gender. She has also served as a speaker for various community organizations. Locke was a panel member for the session, “Women Doing Politics,” at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists; keynote speaker for the annual meeting of the local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women; and Black History Month speaker for a program sponsored by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women.

Dr. Locke has a number of publications on race and gender. She is the co-editor of two books: “African American Politics: The Struggle for Liberation” and “Urban Politics: A Planning Perspective”. Locke was recognized for her dual service as a university administrator and elected official by “Black Issues in Higher Education.” Dr. Locke currently serves as dean of the School of Liberal Arts and professor of political science at Hampton University.

With her re-election to the Virginia Senate in November 2007, Senator Locke has become a member of the Education and Health Committee, Local Government Committee (chair of subcommittee on charters), Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, Rules Committee, and chair of the General Laws and Technology Committee. Locke is also a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (Secretary), Virginia Housing Commission (Chair), Martin Luther King Memorial Commission, Fort Monroe Federal Areas Development Authority (Secretary-Treasurer), Joint Commission on Science and Technology (Vice Chair), Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, Start Strong Council, Military Advisory Council and Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission.