- Announcements
Happy Women's History Month! The theme this year is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This theme honors women who are driving innovation, resilience, and systemic change across environmental, economic, and social justice, promoting a more equitable, sustainable world for people and the planet. The National Women’s History Alliance is spotlighting 30 women each day in March 2026 to highlight their contributions in these areas.
Parallel to this is International Women’s Day (IWD) observed on March 8th. IWD is a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and advocating for gender equality. The 2026 theme for IWD is “Give to Gain,” which encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to give generously to support women's advancement, emphasizing that when people give their time, resources, knowledge, and support, opportunities for women increase and we all benefit.
Women’s History Month always gives me pause as I reflect on the women personally who have shaped me into who I am today. Of course, there is my mother, my aunts, and my neighbors who have consistently loved and championed me to be my best self. I also reflect more globally on women who have paved a way for others; all multifaceted individuals who are ambitious, compassionate, intelligent, resilient, and caring. And let’s not forget those who were the first to serve in the roles they held.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic woman to serve in Congress; Ibtihaj Muhammad, an American fencer, and the first Muslim-American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the U.S. in the Olympics; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first ever woman and also the first African to lead the World Trade Organization as director-general; Kim Ng, the first woman to be appointed as general manager of a major league baseball team; Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer and first Iranian in space; and Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Recently, Betty Reid Soskin (pictured above) passed away. She was an American retired ranger with the National Park Service, previously assigned to the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. I feel a special connection to her because I’m from Richmond, CA, but her impact reaches well beyond that. Until her retirement in 2022 at 100 years of age, she was the oldest serving National Park Service Ranger.
Ms. Soskin witnessed firsthand discrimination and spent her lifetime advocating for and uplifting marginalized voices, particularly those of women. She also worked tirelessly to ensure that the contributions of women and Black Americans during World War II were not overshadowed in the broader historical narrative. She is my personal “shero” and someone who modeled service to others. Her unyielding strength and dedication to her mission as a voice for the voiceless are inspiring.
As our guest chaplain, Masankho Banda, said in the chapel, “We should all think about what we can do for others and how we can be a light in the world.” Betty Reid Soskin was truly a light for others.