February 8th

Born this day in 1879, Maud Slye,a pathologist that changed the way science viewed cancer and the approach cancer research. Slye "invented the genetically uniform mice as a research tool" and she was also "an advocate for the comprehensive archiving of human medical records from birth to death." To follow the genetic history of cancer in human beings and other health issues was ground braking. These concepts are taken for granted in modern science, but in the early part of the 20th century, people thought that cancer was contagious which her work proved untrue. What sparked the idea for Slye, was a group of cattle from the same ranch who all had eye cancer.
Creating research mice and to follow their lives both healthy mice and unhealthy mice.
In later years, Slye posited that "two conditions were necessary to produce cancer: inherited susceptibility, and prolonged irritation of the cancer-susceptible tissues." This proved not to be completely true, future studies proved there is more to cancer than these two factors. But, it does not discount the outstanding research and the new approach to the research. Maud Slye received many honors and awards for her work. Slye never married. To read more about this amazing woman and her career achievements:
(1879-1954) http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/35/Maud-Slye.html#ixzz1DJLF7U00

On this day in 1965,The Supremes released "Stop In The Name of Love".

On this day in 1964, Rep Martha Griffiths address gets civil rights protection for women being added to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

February 7th

On this day in 1969, Dinae Crump becomes the first female jockey at Hialeah Racetrack in Florida.

Born this day in 1867, Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the "The Little House" books.
What began as Grandma sharing stories about her childhood turned into one of the most popular in children's literature. Wilder's books shared the stories of her family pioneering in the mid-west during the 1870's and 1880's. The first book "A Little House on the Prairie", was published in 1932 and by 1943 there were eight volumes. The books have been translated into 40 different languages. And in the 1970's and 1980's a popular television series. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote from the heart and captured the hearts of millions of readers even today. Wilder's daughter Rose Wilder Lane was also an author and supported her mother during her process of writing, "The Little House" books.

Born this day in 1918, Ruth Sager, a pioneer in the field of non-nuclear genetics and in the genetics of cancer. Sager's discoveries have changed the face of cancer and genetics. To read more about this absolutely, amazing and brilliant woman and contributions to these fields.
http://www.nap.edu/readingroom.php?book=biomems&page=rsager.html

February 6th

On this day in 1872, The American Woman Suffrage Association petitioned Congress.

Born this day in 1913, Mary Douglas Leakey,archaeologist . Mary's father was a landscape artist and the family lived throughout England,Italy and France. At age 11, while living in Dordogne,France,the area was peppered with prehistoric sites, and after seeing the Caves of Dordogne(oldest cave paintings of animals) she was inspired and knew her future calling. She wasn't bookish, but she began sitting in on lectures about archaeology and geology at University of London. She never earned a degree. But,through contacts and her ability to draw; she was able to work on many excavations. She married Louis Leakey in 1933. They lived mostly in Africa working a long string of excavations. Her first important discovery was the first fossil skull of the extinct Miocene primate Proconsul. In 1959, Mary found the "Zinjanthropus" (Australopithecus boisei) fossil which brought world fame to the Leakey family. But, 1978 Mary Leakey made her greatest discovery, adjacent footprint tracks that had been left by two bipedal hominids. Even though Mary Leakey never earned a degree. Mary Leakey was a giant in the field of archaeology.

On this day in 1952, Elizabeth II succeeded her father, King George VI, upon his death February, 6th.

February 5th

Born this day in 1788, Sarah Goodridge, miniature portrait artist. As a child growing up in Templeton, Massachusett, Goodridge showed a talent for drawing. In 1820, Goodridge moved to Boston, MA to live with her older sister, who was an artist. Goodridge quickly learned the art of painting and was a successful miniature artist for over thirty years. Goodridge retired 1851 because of her eye sight suffered and she could not work on her miniatures. Though, Sarah never married, she did have a relationship with Daniel Webster. He sat for 12 portraits throughout the many years. And she did visit Webster in Washington DC.
In recent times a miniature portrait painted by Sarah of her own breasts, which she titled Beauty Revealed. During this time in Colonial American women's history, it was very rare for a woman expose her breasts in a painting. She gave this artwork to Webster when his first wife died. But, he married his second wife for money because of his political career. Beauty Revealed was found among Webster's belongings. Goodridge died in 1853. Sarah Goodridge's art is found at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Smithsonian American Art Museum. But, as far as I can find, Sarah Goodridge is not represented at the National Museum of Women In the Arts.

Hannah Lord Montague of New York creates 1st detachable shirt collar at 139 3rd Street, Troy New York. Montague was sick of washing her husband's entire shirt just for the ring around the collar. So snipping out the collar, so she only had to wash the collar, set a trend in men's clothing that lasted over 100 years. The detachable collar became a major industry in Troy and providing work for women. The first union in the United States grew out of this industry. The Collar Laundry Union!

On this day in 1894, the Women's Suffrage organizes in Amsterdam.

February 4th

Born this day in 1913, Rosa Parks, a leader in Civil Rights. December 1st,1955 in Montgomery, Alabama the Civil Rights Movement began with one humble act of civil disobedience. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. No one special,a woman, who knew if she did not give up her seat, she could be arrested, fined and or jailed. This demand to give up her seat on the bus, was a symbol to give up her rights. And Rosa Parks refused. She was arrested and the Civil Rights Movement was born. Rosa Parks courage was like a spark, lighting the way for a Nation to see that all people are equal. Rosa Parks remained a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Like any Social Justice issue be it Slavery, Suffrage, Civil Rights, many suffer and many die for the Cause, so that many more will live without the cruel injustices placed upon the innocent lives.
In 1977, Parks founded The Raymond and Rosa Parks Institute for Self-Development. The Institute sponsors an annual summer program for young people to travel throughout the United States on buses visiting and learning the history of their country. President Clinton presented Rosa Parks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. She received a Congressional Gold Medal in 1999.

Born this day in 1921, Betty Freidan, she also died on this day 2006. An author and activist, Friedan is best known for her book,The Feminine Mystique, published in
1963. This book and Friedan herself were central to the re-kindling the Feminist Movement. This book set a fire in the hearts and gave a voice to of millions of women who longed for an identity outside of the care of family. Freidan lectured throughout the world raising awareness of women's issues. She wrote The Women's Movement in 1976, in 1981 she published Changed My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement and in 1993 The Second Stage The Fountain of Aging in Fall.
Freidan was the founder of the National Organization for Women. And Freidan worked toward the passage of, The Equal Rights Amendment. Women today are still not protected under the United States Constitution. Feminism is a word so mis-understood in society. This is what the word means. Feminism: "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men." That is all. Anything else is fear and here say.