We could tell you that Women’s History Month found its first roots in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” We could regale you with details of how this humble start went through a genesis and finally found itself turned into an entire month of recognition in 1995 as “Women’s History Month.”
We have all the dates, we have all the documentation – but at HRI we DO, not just “tell.” Co-founded by two visionary Dallas women, led by women in every department (we are happy that Bill Holston hangs out with us because we recognize his utter dedication to human rights), and administered by a thoroughly diverse, all-female + identifying staff, at HRI we don’t wait for a day or a month to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. Every day at HRI is Women’s Day.
So many of our resilient migrant clients are female identifying. They come to us having just survived some of the most traumatic moments in their lives. Even while processing the trauma from being victimized by strangers or family members, these women continue to be sources of support to others in their communities. They continue to raise their families and participate in their places of worship. They continue to dream and work for better futures for their family and themselves. Even though they have seen the worst that humans can do to one another, they continue to show compassion to others. And most importantly they continue to love. Persevering with strength in the face of adversity is not easy. But our clients continue to do so every single day.
HRI is honored to join the efforts of advocates and immigration workers who are devoted to women and girls who need refuge in the United States. This fight is not easy: our U.S. asylum statute ignores the fact that, around the world, women and girls are persecuted because of their gender. And HRI’s female-strong staff remains committed to our vision of safety for all.
Please join HRI as we support the ongoing work of recognizing the full humanity and rights of immigrant women and girls. For more information on how to join our efforts: www.HRIonline.org/get-involved
#InternationalWomensMonth #FemaleStrongHRI #WomenOfHRI #ThePresentIsFemale
