By Cortney Burgess, FSIS Women’s Special Emphasis Program Manager

Historically, women have been at the forefront of the movement for diversity, equity and inclusion in the United States. Women are powerful advocates for social justice, human rights, fair wages and equality because, for so long, women were legally denied these rights. Each March, we honor the role that women have played in shaping American history, as well as how they continue to serve as leaders in the fight for diversity, equity and inclusion. Three women who worked to improve the lives of all Americans, and whose efforts are still felt today, are highlighted below.

Sojourner Truth was an African American abolitionist who dedicated her life to fighting for and defending gender equality. Born into slavery, Truth escaped to freedom at the age of 29 with her young daughter. In 1828, she became the first Black woman to win a custody case against a white man and was able to recover her son from slavery. Her speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851, “Ain’t I a Woman?” highlighted the disparities of women and the enslaved; it also powerfully declared that all humans are equal, regardless of gender or race.

Susan B. Anthony, who also fought for equality, recognized that many of the injustices and legal disenfranchisement that women were subjected to stemmed from their being denied the right to vote. As a child, Anthony’s Quaker upbringing instilled the importance of social equality. After becoming involved in the abolitionist movement and helping to achieve emancipation, Anthony began to focus her work on everyone’s right to vote. When Congress passed the 15th Amendment in 1870, granting voting rights to African American men, Anthony opposed the legislation because it did not include women’s right to vote. She thought the Amendment should also have given women the right to vote. She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and started a newspaper to push for a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. Unfortunately, Anthony did not get to see the fruit of her labors; she passed away in 1906, and the 19th Amendment was not ratified until 1920.

Francis Perkins was the first woman to hold a major Cabinet position when she became the first Secretary of Labor in 1933. Perkins used her time as Secretary of Labor to implement programs that improved life for everyone, but especially for those whom society too often neglected. Perkins made many contributions during her tenure, but most significant were the formation of Social Security, unemployment insurance and the federal minimum wage, as well as strengthening child labor laws.

Women’s History Month is a time that we can all join together to celebrate the contributions of these three women and all those in our families, communities and the FSIS workplace. Over 48% of all FSIS employees are women. Each day, the women of FSIS work to ensure food safety. Women possessing unique talents and considerable skills are present at all levels at FSIS, from frontline workers to senior leadership. We are proud of their accomplishments and continue to learn from the experiences that they so willingly share. These women in our lives continue to be catalysts who propel us towards progress and improvement.

Learn more about Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Frances Perkins.