While we celebrate America's 250th birthday, let's celebrate all the women who made America possible.  Martha Washington stood by General George Washington as she bandaged the wounded troops at Valley Forge.  Martha Jefferson stood with Thomas Jefferson throughout his dangerous career as he fought for American independence.  Abigail Adams counseled John Adams throughout his career in Washington DC.  In fact, she was the driving force behind her husband's greatness.

Countless women stood by their husbands throughout America's rocky and glorious history.  Where would Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, James Monroe, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt, Ben Franklin and dozens of America's great leaders be without their wives' support, advice, and courage.

While many female Americans slip beneath the cracks such as Harriet Tubman and her "Underground Railroad" activities, she proved herself an American hero in her time.  Rosa Parks kept her seat on that bus that ushered into being the "Civil Rights" movement. 

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in Ulster County, New York. At 29, she escaped with her infant daughter and from then on, she dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of both African Americans and women. 

"In 1843, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry, a utopian community in Massachusetts. Truth traveled throughout the country and gave speeches on topics of abolition and women's rights. Her powerful speech, "Ain't I a woman" was delivered in 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. In 1864, she met with President Lincoln at the White House to discuss the future of African Americans an after the Civil War."

Barbara Jordan was the daughter of a Baptist preacher and the great-granddaughter of one of the last Black members of the Texas House of Representatives before the disenfranchisement of Black citizens under Jim Crow. 

"She won a seat in the Texas Senate in 1966, becoming the first African-American state senator in Texas since 1883. In 1972, she was elected to the US House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to represent Texas, and also served on the House Judiciary Committee. In 1994, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

Susan B. Anthony, born February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906, was an American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. Born into a Quaker family committed to social equality; she collected anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17. In 1856, she became the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society.  She went on to form the Suffragettes that ultimately earned women the right to vote in 1919.

Out of the political realm, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Her daring courage continued as she attempted to fly around the world. On June 1, 1937, Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, to fly around the world. They flew a twin-engine Lockheed 10-E Electra. They vanished on July 2, 1937, over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island, and rescuers never found the plane.

Selected Earhart Quotes on Action and Adventure

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."
"Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace."
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself."
"Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it."

One of the great women to emerge in 21st century America happens to be Karoline Leavitt, press secretary to President Donald J. Trump.  No matter what your political persuasion, Karoline Leavitt, is smart, beautiful, enjoys an extraordinary command of the English language, tough as nails, and incredibly knowledgeable.  She has been deemed the BEST press secretary ever to work in the Oval Office. 

"President Donald Trump's senior political advisor James Blair praised departing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt for her time in the West Wing while warning on Saturday that her successor will face scrutiny for filling such a critical messaging role as the midterm elections approach. Blair said the next press secretary would be under a "microscope" given that Leavitt's time in office "cemented her as the best press secretary we've ever had."

When it comes to women's athletics:

"While exact rankings vary by analyst, consensus lists for the top 10 women's tennis players of all time typically center around dominant Grand Slam champions like Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, and Martina Navratilova."

When we arrive at the Olympics:

Katie Ledecky is widely regarded as the greatest female swimmer of all time. She is the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history with 14 medals—including nine golds—and holds multiple world records in distance freestyle events. 

Career Highlights of Katie Ledecky

Olympic Dominance: 14 total Olympic medals (9 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze).
World Records: Holds the world records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Unmatched Streak: Undefeated in the 800m freestyle in major international competition for over a decade.

Today, in the formerly moribund Women's National Basketball League that few watched for the past 30 years, three names stand that have put the league on the map.

Caitlin Clark became the single greatest long range three-point shooter in history.  She became the highest point shooter of all time in college.  She's driven the league from boredom to stardom. She's carried the league on her back.

Sophie Cunningham, at 6'1", a blond beauty, not only is an outstanding three-point shooter, but she stands up for women only in women's sports.  Her beauty, brains and stature mark her as one of the greats of the 21st century.

Lexie Hull, also 6'1", a blond beauty who commands the boards and makes the shots. Her energy, drive and athletic talents raise the level of play for everyone in the WNBA.

Women in softball:

The 6'1" elite softball pitcher is Karlyn Pickens. The former University of Tennessee star and professional pitcher for the Carolina Blaze is in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. She holds the record for the fastest pitch in NCAA and softball history at 79.4 mph.

Without a doubt, famous women, and not so famous women, have played their part in America's 250th anniversary. May we cheer all women, fans, players, supporters, coaches, and all sports and politics where women make history with their play, their passions, their courage, their energy and their lives. To the women of America, everyone salutes you! 
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