Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Celebrates Women's History Month

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm blessed, thanks be to God! As some of you may know, March commemorates Women's History Month. The 2015 theme is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8. As a feminist who is very passionate about the endeavors of girls and women in our everyday life, I celebrate this month. My minor at Virginia Tech is Women's Studies Leadership, and in November 2010 I started an organization called When You Believe Foundation, Inc.. The mission of WYBF "is to do outreach, raise awareness, provide assistance, enhance the lifestyle, promote self-sufficiency, and empower girls and women in our communities."

When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ms. Christina Tchen (U.S. lawyer and First Lady Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff) and When You Believe Foundation Founder/Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

WHEN YOU BELIEVE FOUNDATION, INC.
Established November 2010

In the United States, Women's History Month traces its beginnings back to the first International Women's Day in 1911. In 1978, the school district of Sonoma, California participated in Women's History Week, an event designed around the week of March 8 (International Women's Day). In 1979 a fifteen-day conference about women's history was held at Sarah Lawrence College from July 13 until July 29, chaired by historian Gerda Lerner. It was co-sponsored by Sarah Lawrence College, the Women's Action Alliance, and the Smithsonian Institution. When its participants learned about the success of the Sonoma County's Women's History Week celebration, they decided to initiate similar celebrations within their own organizations, communities, and school districts. They also agreed to support an effort to secure a National Women's History Week.

When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO
Miss Earth Maryland 2015
Ruby B. Johnson

Ms. Dolores Huerta (Civil Rights Activist) and When You Believe Foundation Founder/Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week. In 1981, responding to the growing popularity of Women's History Week, Representative Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a Women's History Week. Congress passed their resolution as Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week." In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued annual proclamations designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.

National Organization for Women (NOW) President Terry O'Neill and When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson and Ms. Katherine Spillar (Executive Director of Feminist Majority Foundation and Editor at Ms. Magazine)

State departments of education also began to encourage celebrations of Women's History Month as a way to promote equality among the sexes in the classroom.Maryland, Pennsylvania, Alaska, New York, Oregon, and other states developed and distributed curriculum materials in all of their public schools, which prompted educational events such as essay contests. Within a few years, thousands of schools and communities began to celebrate of Women's History Month. They planned engaging and stimulating programs about women's roles in history and society, with support and encouragement from governors, city councils, school boards, and the U.S. Congress.

U.S. Attorney and Miss America 2003 Erika Harold and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson 

Miss Universe 1999 from Botswana Mpule Kwelagobe and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson 

"When you believe in yourself, the world will believe in you"
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Now you understand / Just why my head’s not bowed / I don’t shout or jump about / Or have to talk real loud / When you see me passing / It ought to make you proud / I say / It’s in the click of my heels / The bend of my hair / the palm of my hand / The need for my care / ’Cause I’m a woman / Phenomenally / PHENOMENAL WOMAN / THAT'S ME - Excerpt from Dr. Maya Angelou's poem.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

EVERY MONTH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility