It's Women's History Month!
Statement from TVH Executive Director Ann King on Women's History Month
What is Women’s History all about? It is a call for us to learn about things that we likely did not get a chance to learn when we were in school. Just like Black History Month, last month was about teaching us about black leaders we haven’t known or acknowledged, we can and need to do the same for women. Take the time this month to appreciate women’s contributions in your life and within the greater society.
 
There have been so many wonderful and courageous women leaders. At Tri-Valley Haven we named our homeless family shelter in honor of Sojourner Truth, a black woman who was a fierce activist for civil rights in the fight to end slavery. Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a pioneer and tireless legal advocate for women’s and human rights recently passed away. We mourn her loss as our US Supreme court considers issues that will forever impact our country. 
 
Take a moment to think about who your heroines are. Maybe they aren’t famous historical women at all. For me, one impactful leader was my second-grade teacher. When Tri-Valley Haven staff was asked who their heroines were at our March All Staff Meeting, we were awestruck to hear descriptions of grandmothers, moms, daughters, mentors, athletes, all who we wouldn’t recognize on the street, yet they had an incredible impact on our lives and successes. Fighting in a war, getting stuck in another country, escaping family violence at a time when there were no shelters or crisis lines to help, coping with devastating poverty and learning to thrive despite daunting challenges are some of the examples given. I am moved and humbled by each of them.
 
Who are the women in your life who impacted who you are and how you live? Ask friends, family and acquaintances. I promise it will be a good exchange. If so moved, please share with us. We’d love to hear your heroin story. #trivalleyhaven
What are some ways that you can celebrate Women's History Month?
TVH encourages you to joining us of thinking of a woman you admire and write her a letter describing the impact she has had on your life. She can be someone in your personal life or a public figure. We will be posting ours!

Having the chance to spend some one-on-one time with the lovely ladies in your life (in a COVID safe way) is a great way to reconnect and remind them how much they mean to you. Who knows, she may even tell some interesting stories you’ve never heard before.

Study up on women's history! Many libraries are still offering curbside pickup and national museums are offering virtual exhibits.

The Women's Vote Centennial Initiative offers many activities such as a suffrage crosswords and quizzes. Challenge your friends and family! The link to those are featured below:
Did You Know?
Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California.

The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.

In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week.
Historical Women
A former slave, Sojourner Truth became an outspoken advocate for abolition, temperance, and civil and women’s rights in the nineteenth century. Her work earned her an invitation to meet President Abraham Lincoln in 1864. She never learned to read or write.
 
As an itinerant preacher, Truth met abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. Garrison’s anti-slavery organization encouraged Truth to give speeches about the evils of slavery.
 
In 1851, Truth began a lecture tour that included a women’s rights conference in Akron, Ohio, where she delivered her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech. In it, she challenged prevailing notions of racial and gender inferiority and inequality by reminding listeners of her combined strength (Truth was almost six feet tall) and female status. Truth ultimately split with Douglass, who believed suffrage for formerly enslaved men should come before women’s suffrage; she thought both should occur simultaneously.
 
Tri-Valley Haven named its Family Shelter Sojourner House to honor Ms. Truth’s legacy of advocating for civil rights, women’s empowerment and equity.
 
Sojourner House is a place of encouragement and freedom. In 2002, Tri-Valley Haven took over the Homeless Shelter and completely rehabbed the inside and outside of the home. Before this, the agency was known for its DV and SA services. After 2002, we also offered shelter and food services to those effected by homelessness and poverty. Sojourner House is the only Tri-Valley shelter that takes two-parent families, dads with children and teenage boys as part of families.
Here are some events to prepare for International Women's Day
Each March, Women’s Symposium of Southern California (WSSC) offers a one-day symposium open to all women to foster education and access to resources that empower women, enhance self-confidence and improve the quality of life. 

Professionals from all fields, including educators, financial professionals, and STEAM professionals, come together to share their expertise and deliver actionable items for attendees to take away and apply to their own life plan.

This year we are pleased to announce one of our Keynote Speaker, Jen Auerbach-Rodriguez

Jen leads strategic growth markets for Merrill Lynch. One of Jen’s passions is ensuring the financial wellness of women. In addition, WSSC recognizes the achievements of women in our community.

DATE: March 5 2021
This year for International Women's Day, SheJumps is bringing its signature Get the Girls Out! program to women and girls everywhere.

A global initiative to encourage outdoor play, Get the Girls Out! is a free virtual event that inspires and encourages participants to get outside through fun challenges that can be accomplished anywhere.

Using a mobile app to provide outdoor-themed missions that participants accomplish to earn points and win prizes, just by signing up to participate in the Get the Girls Out! you're entered to win amazing prizes directly from SheJumps partners.

View real-time progress of other participants and connect with fellow SheJumpers across the globe.

The event features the missions that teach foundational outdoor skills and mental fitness, with tutorial videos and challenges from amazing women leaders, guides, athletes, social entrepreneurs, and activists.

DATE: March 5 to March 7 2021
To look for more great events, click the button below!