85R18111 BPG-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.R. No. 1159
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of Women's History Month during March
2017 provides an ideal opportunity to acknowledge the historic
contributions made by women in the Lone Star State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Since the founding of the Texas Republic, women have
played crucial roles in the social, economic, and cultural spheres;
Texas women participated in the abolitionist movement, and they not
only secured their own right to vote but have also worked in behalf
of all citizens to promote equal opportunity, civil rights, peace,
and justice; and
WHEREAS, Examples of the noteworthy accomplishments of women
abound; educator and suffragist Annie Webb Blanton became the first
woman in Texas to hold a statewide public office when she was
elected state superintendent for public instruction in 1918;
aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman, born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892,
became the first African American woman to receive a pilot's
license and embarked on a career as a stunt flyer; the daughter of
migrant workers, Rebecca Flores Harrington was the first in her
family to attend college, and after graduating from the University
of Michigan, she dedicated herself to social justice and became
head of the Texas chapter of the United Farm Workers movement;
engineer Frances "Poppy" Northcutt was the first woman to hold an
operational support role in NASA's mission control, and she served
as president of the Houston chapter of the National Organization
for Women; after leaving hit pop group Destiny's Child, Beyoncé
Knowles built an even bigger solo career and established herself as
a business mogul and cultural icon while embracing feminism;
Barbara Bush, the daughter of former president George W. Bush,
cofounded Global Health Corps and, at 26, became chief executive of
the leadership development organization, which focuses on health
equity; and
WHEREAS, The strength of our nation depends heavily on the
continued advancement of women; by acknowledging the enormous
positive impact they have made, we encourage future generations to
ensure that gender is not an obstacle that must be overcome on the
road to achievement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March as Women's History Month and
celebrate the contributions made by women to this state and nation.