Women's history: a window into America's greatness

Posted March 10, 2011
By Jerry Rogers
Norfolk District Public Affairs

03/10/2011 - NORFOLK — Women have long struggled to gain ground in a society largely dominated by men – their achievements were marginalized, credit for their work and discoveries went to their male colleagues.

Essentially, women were erased from history.

In the 1970's, that began to change as a movement to celebrate women's history gained momentum – a momentum we still feel each March, during National Women's History Month.

Regina Malveaux, J.D., newly appointed executive director of the YWCA South Hampton Roads, will join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, on March 17 at 1:30 p.m., in the multipurpose room of Waterfield Building to celebrate Women's History Month and the economic, political and social achievements of American women – past, present and future.

"Each year that we recognize and participate in National Women's History Month, we pay tribute to the millions of women who sacrificed so much to help create a better society and world," said Gregory E. Headen, chief of Norfolk District's Equal Employment Office. "Their achievements serve as an enormous inspiration and road map for future generations."

"Our History is Our Strength," is the 2011 March National Women's History Month theme. Knowing women's stories provides essential role models for everyone, according to the National Women's History Project, and role models are genuinely needed to face the extraordinary changes and unrelenting challenges of the 21st century.

Malveaux, who resides in Norfolk, Va., has compiled a resume of career achievements, all while raising two college-age children, that would easily transform her from "ordinary" to "extraordinary."

Prior to taking the helm of the YWCA South Hampton Roads, Malveaux served as founding director of the Women's Legal Center in San Diego, Calif., and legal advocate for the YWCA San Diego.

Malveaux holds an undergraduate degree in Social Policy from San Diego State University and a law degree from Howard University School of Law. During law school, Malveaux served as both a White House and Congressional intern, for then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, then chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Malveaux has served on a number of boards aimed at advancing racial justice and economic empowerment, including the San Diego NAACP, Dress for Success and Second Chance. She is nationally recognized as a tenacious advocate for women, youth and children, and has received numerous national accolades, including "Emerging Leader" by the Children's Defense Fund and one of 10 National Head Start Policy Fellows during the Clinton administration.

President Barack Obama, in his 2011 proclamation honoring National Women's History Month, also praised the extraordinary accomplishments of women in shaping the course of our nation's history, and issued a challenge:

"Today, women have reached heights their mothers and grandmothers might only have imagined. Women now comprise nearly half of our workforce and the majority of students in our colleges and universities," he said. "They scale the skies as astronauts, expand our economy as entrepreneurs and business leaders, and serve our country at the highest levels of government and our Armed Forces. In honor of the pioneering women who came before us, and in recognition of those who will come after us, this month, we recommit to erasing the remaining inequities facing women in our day."