CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT REGARDING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02) released the following video statement today in recognition of Women's History Month during March of 2014. To view the video statement, please click here.

A transcript of Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr.'s statement regarding Women's History Month can be found below:

During the month of March, please join me in celebrating Women's History Month. This is an opportunity to honor the remarkable women in our country and the work they are doing to further our great nation.

Throughout the world, women have played an integral role in shaping culture and changing the course of history. A bit closer to home, the women of middle and southwest Georgia have done well to lead with historic achievements.

Like Lea Henry, native of Damascus, Georgia, honored our district and America by contributing to the Gold Medal win for the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball team during the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California. After her athletic career, Lee has dedicated much of her time to coaching and now serves as head coach for the Darton College Women's Basketball team located in Albany, Georgia.

Sarah Randolph Bailey, a native to Macon, Georgia, organized the first African American Girl Scout troops in the area during the early 1930's. Mrs. Bailey's contributions left a lasting impression on her community, and in 1994 the Macon Girl Scout Center was renamed the Sarah Bailey Service Center in her honor.

As the First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, wife of President Jimmy Carter from Plains Georgia, focused national attention to advocacy surrounding mental health and the elderly. Today, she serves on the board of directors at the Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving located at her alma-mater, Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus.

And after a distinguished sixteen years on city council, Barbara Williams was recently elected to serve as the mayor of Fort Valley, becoming the first African American female to hold this influential position.

Today, over 74 million women go to work every day, furthering advancement in the fields of healthcare, science, technology, and education. Principals and pastors. CEOs and librarians. Mayors and mothers. Women from all walks of life complete and enrich our world, and drive our society forward to new beginnings.

From being pioneers in the struggle for suffrage, to fighting economic inequality, to breaking glass ceilings across America, women in our country have, and continue to, overcome barriers they face in order to reach full equality.

It is my sincere hope that during this Women's History Month, Americans will continue to reflect and celebrate the contributions women have made to our great society. After all, as we have seen throughout American history: when women succeed, America succeeds.

Thank you and God Bless.