Words for Journey, Words for Justice

Pool near Walpi, Arizona. Early 1900s. Photo by Carl Moon

In Gratitude For Women

by

Pat Hoffman

For every woman who made history and whose name was left out of the books.

For every woman whose sacred story was kept only in the heart of God.

For any woman whose acts of courage were derided as “unbecoming,”

whose dissatisfaction was labeled “crazy,”

whose creativity was ignored,

whose steadfastness went unnoticed, 

whose perseverance has been forgotten.

Let us lay wreaths for these unknown warriors,

who kept faith with God’s call to them.

And as we step away from lighting a flame at their unmarked tombs,

light our own torch.

So be it.

National Women’s History Month was established by Congress in 1987. The selection of March commemorates women in New York City factories who staged a protest on March 8, 1857 over working conditions.