https://www.spiritofhouston.net/blog daily 0.75 2022-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/948a610f-0ad7-4575-ae5e-2e45fedfdf81/Liz+Carpenter.jpg Blog - Liz Carpenter for a US postage stamp! Liz Carpenter at Lincoln Center benefit for the National Women’s Political Caucus, which she co-founded in 1971. See the photo she is referring to at the article by Lucy Komisar, “with the Women at Houston” in the Works<Talent page of this website. From: "Liz Carpenter" <lizbooks06@gmail.com> Date: January 31, 2007 11:10:18 AM EST To: dmh@dianamarahenry.com What a good idea for stamps. We're tired of having to lick the good ole' boys. I love the picture you chose of me with Gloria. Let me know how I can be helpful. Love Liz Liz Carpenter Austin, TX Diana wrote back March 6,2007 (in part): “I am honored to count you among the stamp campaign’s charter supporters. The effort will receive a great forum when I speak at the Organization of American Historians’ annual meeting in Minneapolis which will also display my photographs of the First National Women’s Conference Thank you so much for “being there” for me. You have raised my spirits and I hope that this correspondence will not put any burden on you but only reassure you that your influence is marching on! Whether I hear from you again or no, I will be thinking of you fondly and with very best regards…” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/91a1743b-9af3-42e9-91e0-a61c64ce8953/DMH+stamp.jpg Blog - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ac9a732d-8c47-4a34-b20b-ea33a17a4024/DMH+ready+to+go+at+FNWC+32-16+copy.jpg Blog Getting ready to go to Houston….Diana Mara Henry with a Halliburton case (probably borrowed from Peter B. Kaplan) and her Dior bag. Or maybe she was already there, she is wearing her badge….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/bf6e83e3-fcd0-4ccf-99b1-c505a0256ec8/DMH+at+FNWC+13-3+copy.jpg Blog What did the official photographer look like at Houston? Here she is in the exhibit hall, signing up for some good cause! Thank you, maybe to Sherry Suris, for the photo….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1297a6a7-4427-4344-b63c-14dd59c8ffd4/SisterhoodSalon_Postcard-top.jpg Blog - Linda Garcia Merchant US Latino Digital Humanities Post Doctoral Fellow, Arte Público Press at the University of Houston #usLdh Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Find Recovery on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Chicana Diasporic: A Nomadic Journey of the Activist Exiled Chicana Por Mi Raza Digital Memory Collective Diana and Linda created the Sisterhood Salon at the 40th anniversary conference as a place to hang out with the women who were writing the history in visual media, text and spoken word. This website, as it turns out, is an offspring of the Sisterhood Salon…Thank you Linda, thank you all! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/787e11cb-835c-4066-b82e-014901bc487e/Nikki+Van+Hightower+with+IWY+books+cropped.jpg Blog - That Woman: The Making of a Texas Feminist by Nikki R Van Hightower A founder and former executive director of the Houston Area Women’s Center. She has taught at the University of Houston, Lee College, and the Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health. Van Hightower retired as senior lecturer in political science at Texas A&M University, where she helped establish the women’s studies program. She lives in College Station, Texas. …….“. . . the best-known feminist in Houston”—The New York Times When Nikki R. Van Hightower stepped into the position of Women’s Advocate for the City of Houston in 1976, she quickly discovered that she had very little real power. And when the all-male city council cut her salary to $1 a year after she spoke at a women’s rights rally, she gained full appreciation for just what she was up against. Nonetheless, before the job was abolished altogether two years later, Van Hightower went on to help orchestrate the enormously successful 1977 US National Women’s Conference in Houston as part of the 1975 International Woman’s Year, to help found the Houston Area Women’s Center and establish its rape crisis and shelter programs, and to host a radio show where she publicly discussed issues of gender, race, and human rights. This eye-opening memoir offers a window into the world of Texas history and politics in the 1970s, where sexual harassment was not considered discrimination, where women’s shelters did not exist, where no women were elected to city government, where women in the parks department were prohibited from working outdoors, and where women paid to use airport toilets while men did not. That world that may seem distant and slightly unreal today, so all the more reason to read Van Hightower’s journey as a feminist. Her story will remind us that while much has been achieved in gender relations and women’s rights, there is much that remains to be done. ………………… See a video by Veteran Feminists of America with Nikki Van Hightower here. She discusses her position as the City of Houston’s Women’s Advocate and how that influenced the decision to site the First National Women’s Conference there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/b9895a44-c3b3-47be-8180-cb80f7f8aa11/StinsonCAStatemtg.jpeg Blog - A young man finds meaning in his research into the FNWC…. Benjamin Ortiz-Herrera is a student at UC Davis and found the memorabilia that one California delegate had donated to U Mass Amherst through the work of Diana Mara Henry and the Special Collection of her photographs at the Du Bois Library. Here is part of his journey of discovery: “…through Stinson, I learned a lot more about the National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters, the Battered Women Taskforce, and the push for the Equal Right Amendment. ….The 1977 National Women's Conference means a lot to me as a student majoring in History. I am an Indigenous Mexican-American living in the United States and often feel voiceless. I am in awe of the first National Women's Conference because it was such a diverse event. Where women from all different life experiences, races, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political affiliations came together for one cause, to improve the conditions of women in the United States. We need to highlight diversity in movements like these to deter from retelling traditional historical narratives. History is full of ordinary people who took the initiative to improve not just their circumstances but that of their family members, friends, neighbors, and strangers. We must demonstrate who the delegates were and why they were there, what unique life experiences pushed them to participate as delegates, and how they continued to advocate for feminism after the conference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6cdd5fac-d96d-4309-be13-4584320a0ed9/Forss_final-scaled-600x900.jpg Blog - Review of Borrowing from Our Foremothers: Reexamining the Women’s Movement through Material Culture, 1848-2017 by Amy Helene Forss. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2021 From the first page of her introduction, in which Forss shares the magical moment when she handled with white gloves Alice Paul’s “shimmering” silver bracelet threaded with charms for each state that ratified the ERA, the reader is swept up in the author’s quest to reexamine the Women’s Movement from a new and refreshing point of view. Inclusive, incisive and thoughtful. Forss mined over forty collections, from the National Women’s Hall of Fame to the National Archives for Black Women’s History, private collections, the Eagle Forum archives and the Museum of London, to name just a few. “Choosing thirty unifying artifacts pertaining to foremothers of diverse race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation and gender identity remained integral to this project….because they provided tangible proof of their yesteryear historic bravery.” Ten years in the making, conducting interviews with 99 ”living foremothers,” Forss gives the reader a breathtaking sweep of history while pinpointing the objects that symbolize the joys and pain of women’s unquenchable thirst for a society that expressed their values. Tee shirts, gavels, dresses and label pins are not merely curiosities but provide memorable access to their issues and movements that will not be easily dismissed or soon forgotten. With its jewel of a cover, this book is a great crossover for academic and general readers. Stimulating, breezy writing and interesting historical, economic and geographic context (such as the description of the lay of the land of Seneca Falls, where the Suffragist convention organized by Susan B. Anthony took place in 1948) combine with “You are there” moments such as the tea party that cemented the bond between Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Among the 31 unforgettable illustrations, a personal favorite: twenty sketches by Valerie Pettis showing the evolution of her iconic United Nations International Women’s Year symbol from start (a delicate globe inset into the female symbol) to finish – a bold dove incorporating the female symbol in its body with the equal symbol in its wings. This seldom-seen diary of a creative process symbolizes the evolution of an idea, a commitment to representing the many strands of a dream become reality with a future, like this book itself. A uniquely well-chosen dozen of the keystone documents of more than a century and a half of US Women’s History round out the book, from Sojourner Truth’s “Ar’n’t I a woman?” speech in 1851 -recorded by two different people who heard it -a man and a woman- to Maya Angelou’s “To Form a More Perfect Union,” the mission statement of the First National Women’s Conference in 1977 and Phyllis Schlaffly’s “God, Family and Country” delivered in Houston the same day. The E.R.A. is presented in three versions in which it was proposed to Congress, from 1923 on. With very complete and informative endnotes, and the valuable bibliography that includes archives, manuscript and museum collections as well as convention proceedings and magazine articles by key players. Hurry! This is THE book to offer as a gift to even your most accomplished feminist sisters and anyone who enjoys a good read with lots of touching and intriguing true stories and something new to discover on every page. – Diana Mara Henry (a foremother). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/9e127af0-b42e-4d27-850e-4c1ff022257e/IMG_4831.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/4de5f37a-650e-4232-9336-9437ca849228/IMG_4832.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/bca47906-9c04-4bce-893c-f1011aa89938/IMG_4833.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/3fbbcabc-3cee-48f0-ab32-edec6c0dbdc2/IMG_4834.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/3072fc00-11b3-4e9d-85de-2c5344a3bd04/IMG_4835.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/8e1c6871-f095-4031-b080-477ffb203a60/IMG_4830.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c862b443-ded5-4bdc-b805-d302bd05e112/IMG_4836.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6a215f13-d554-4c24-848e-604da15fc539/2022-PeggyKTime+mag+from+Betsy.JPEG Blog Thank you Peggy for sending the pages of Time magazine's cover story on the First National Women's conference! https://www.spiritofhouston.net/blog/blog-post-title-two-6rs73 monthly 0.5 2022-03-06 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/blog/Blog Post Title One-3l9dg monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/terms-of-service daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/home daily 1.0 2024-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/aa445ac2-0dc1-4317-a72c-583bf7d56c6a/0.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/9a2d5db6-2871-4760-907d-e25a5c7f3715/Screenshot+2024-01-30+at+10-55-10+Elizabeth+Athanasakos+GIlda+Bojorquez+Cjurich+commissioners+at+the+First+National+Women%27s+Conference+1977.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6fe0c759-06ef-47c6-abfc-a0ba703c5200/Patricia+Darlene+Cearcy+obit.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/424cfa8b-2c9f-469c-b6e8-e7ae3378fac1/UN+process+300.jpg Home - How Valerie Pettis designed the iconic logo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/af7e20be-a875-4a48-87b1-59b8c7b8ff13/Aqua+and+black+teeshirts.jpg Home - Teeshirts are here! in aqua and black… “My big challenge will be to make sure my teenage daughter does not borrow it! She saw it today and tried to nab it for her own collection!” -Thank you to one of our first supporters, Professor!… Please email us with your choice of size and color, for $35 each including postage Assembled in Honduras from US made components, 52% cotton and 48% polyester Unisex sizing - S, M, L , XL BELLA+CANVAS uses sustainable manufacturing processes with Blue Sign certified dyes, efficient dye houses that adhere to the state of California’s EPA regulations around waste water treatment and usage, and cutting facilities in Los Angeles that run on partial solar power with comprehensive recycling programs for paper waste and fabric scraps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/5cde2224-b207-488e-a077-2c1806a59bd0/MessaGE+FROM+bILLIE+jEAN+kING.jpg Home - Message on the occasion of the 35th anniversary. Thank you, Billie Jean King! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/0d3cc397-dff6-4942-9650-924d823dbed4/DMH+stamp.jpg Home - What do you think? Women leaders of the 1970’s on US postage stamps, from photos by Diana Mara Henry…. Here are Sylvia Ortiz, Peggy Kokernot Kaplan and Michelle Cearcy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/2fc81f16-5ada-4ddf-a6fc-9d197b924404/Hi+res+Last+mile.jpg Home Women wave bras with the inscription "We Didn't Burn 'Em" to celebrate the passage of the ERA at the First National Women's Conference in Houston, 1977 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/d42adbc6-2930-49a4-91a9-5c3c2a55165e/GLoria+and+Baby+ERA+lower+res.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/4f78d09b-3a8d-4876-87e1-2dbfb86bdc7c/GLoria+on+monitor+FNWC+full+frame.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/7e728267-e146-41ff-afdd-2cb36399cf12/IWY+new+cover+draft+improved+smaller+still.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/19225f8f-1e0d-440e-a7f8-947e5d32ef33/3+first+ladies+and+Bella+new+page+242+top.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1645991113839-6T68BFI7V5PQ14NJSSCH/We+didn%27t+Burn+Em.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1d51a5e7-2fc4-4144-bf3e-6bc9c0840ffd/FNWC.+Delores+Tucker+new+page+250+top.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ddab2643-94e4-4a06-a7cd-eb8bcdaf9357/MOther+and+daughter+for+ERA+Rinetta+Fefie+and+Clara+MCLAughlin.jpg Home Back cover of The Spirit of Houston reprint https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6c64d0f7-fd27-48aa-be73-608c2c656f67/Screenshot+of+final+back+cover.jpg Home https://www.spiritofhouston.net/about daily 0.75 2022-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/23986edd-6dc6-4160-8449-4ae7af891a9d/IWY+press+pass+hi-res.jpg About - About website presenter… Since she was assigned to photograph the First National Women’s Conference as its official photographer, Diana Mara Henry has continued to honor, preserve and illustrate its legacy through her photographs, presentations, websites and books. She has been joined by a wonderful cohort, and thanks them for their Spirit of Houston! Thank you to the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Community Foundation for the 2022 Arts Development Grant award in support of this website! In appreciation of the Ms. Foundation for Women for seed funding to honor the legacy and continue to forward the work of the First National Women’s Conference, to Jeannette Watson Sanger and other donors via the New York Foundation for the Arts, fiscal sponsor for the Women on the Move project Donations also gratefully accepted via Paypal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/65586738-4744-45ad-a7b7-6020a75ea67a/FNWC+Convention+hall+from+the+back.jpg About - About the book…. The Spirit of Houston The 308-page official report of the First National Women's Conference is an historic, encyclopedic account of the only federally-financed national conference by, for and about women, that occurred in Houston, TX , November 18-21 1977. It was preceded by meetings in all fifty states and territories that voted on a plan of action and delegates to debate and enact it. Diana Mara Henry, who had been Bella Abzug's official photographer for her reelection campaign to the US House of Representatives, the mayoralty of NYC and US Senate from the State of NY, was selected to be the only official photographer to document the conference, after having organized the photography exhibits at the NY State Women's Meeting and documented that event attended by 20,000 women in Albany in July, 1977. Her assignment to photograph the conference at Houston came from the State Department on behalf of the President's Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year. As an independent contractor, she retained copyright in her work and her more than 1,000 images were registered with the US Copyright Office in 1978, as well as being listed in The Spirit of Houston on its copyright page and, in its second printing, with the listing of her 85 photographs at the end of the Table of Contents. Therefore, since 1978, there has been no government reprint of the document and no commercial reprint has been done, nor has the book been made available online with her photographs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1649119714048-2OO8O7ZXB4J9J8V4F54D/04fd58c066a160fb9f523618cdfab341.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1649119996857-OAEZMWVJWZ1LITMMJXA8/Dmh+and+guards+at+Empire+State+PLaza+1977+copy.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1649120223749-S3F9JPHGZO11IL0ZH927/Empire+Plaza+Surreal+1977.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1652876849319-ZIVSIOXZWHC09KTW6DCL/NY+State+Women%27s+Meeting+flyer.jpg About https://www.spiritofhouston.net/resources daily 0.75 2022-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/65759222-7d06-4a0a-8fd3-cae4e9e12e35/Schlesinger+report+1974-1976+cover.jpeg Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/aaf1cb52-b5af-42a9-b1d6-20fa1a53485c/Schlesinger+report+1974-1976+inside+2.jpg Resources - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.spiritofhouston.net/contact daily 0.75 2024-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/d42adbc6-2930-49a4-91a9-5c3c2a55165e/GLoria+and+Baby+ERA+lower+res.jpg Contact - Contact Please email us! Questions, suggestions, and just to say hello! All photographs on this site are copyrighted by the photographers and may not be reproduced without permission. Thank you for showing respect for the artists’ rights. All inquiries dhenry188@gmail.com Author book page: Amazon: Ms. Diana Mara Henry Donations via Paypal to dmh@dianamarahenry.com Fiscal Sponsorship: New York Foundation for the Arts / Women on the Move ART WEBSITE: https://www.saatchiart.com/dianamarahenry Thank you! https://www.spiritofhouston.net/gallery daily 0.75 2024-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ddab2643-94e4-4a06-a7cd-eb8bcdaf9357/MOther+and+daughter+for+ERA+Rinetta+Fefie+and+Clara+MCLAughlin.jpg Gallery Clara McLaughlin and Rinetta https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c7afe0f4-a03c-45a1-9cbe-6c660832dcb2/FNWC+Betty+Hamburger+horizontal+copy.jpg Gallery Betty Hamburger, Maryland delegate, Grey Panther https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/29936f54-0690-443d-86e7-0beca078a521/CArmen+Delgado+Votaw+outside+FNWC.jpg Gallery Celebrating the completion of the last mile of the torch relay from Seneca Falls with the arrival at the Albert Thomas Convention Center . Carmen Delgado Votaw, foreground, offers an enthusiastic welcome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/abf58a17-35ed-44b8-9d03-d454ab40eef5/FNWC+Betty+Ford.jpg Gallery IWY Commissioner First Lady Betty Ford applauding the keynote address by Congresswoman Barbara Jordan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/607fbec1-7c6a-426f-8175-47d9d844f567/%27era%27.jpg Gallery Pro-Era delegate at her needlework https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/170e5b07-d1a0-42c4-ba21-ef190a8a1626/FNWC+lesbian+Delegates.jpg Gallery Delegates celebrating the passage of the Sexual Preference plank of the National Plan of Action https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/116c71ac-29d0-4e63-99a2-a25f6c73f104/Kitty+Carlisle+Hart.jpg Gallery Kitty Carlisle Hart on stage at the Celebrating Women plenary of the NY State's Women's Meeting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/fab5541f-8d6b-4fc0-a31a-26333c1b5100/Pulu+peneueta+portrait.jpg Gallery Agnes Dill of the Isleta Laguna tribe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/b2415d96-7921-41a2-a8cd-7447181f3645/FNWC+Celebration+at+end+of+First+National+Conference.jpg Gallery Signer for the deaf watching the closing celebration from the stage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/57bf16d9-c08c-4b61-b2c0-d365f5b834d4/Caroline+Bird+listens+to+proceedings+on+radio+copy.jpg Gallery Caroline Bird, historian of the First National Women's Conference, listens to the proceedings on radio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/0ddefb2d-4a38-4da3-935f-f5038cf0cdf4/Coretta+King+.jpg Gallery Coretta Scott King, IWY Commissioner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/60bb4950-0503-4c7c-bcc5-c39786d47edd/FNWC+Gloria+Scott.jpg Gallery Commissioner Gloria Scott opens the conference with a replica of Susan B. Anthony's gavel from the Women's suffrage convention of 1948 in Seneca Falls, NY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/13d7454c-bc1d-4c48-9084-5869f32183da/IWY9.jpg Gallery Commissioners Lenore Hershey, John Mack Carter and Addie Wyatt palaver at midnight hotel room planning meeting during the conference https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e1b5b13e-c6f9-4dc5-9ebd-51bf810ef050/Last+mile+torch+relay+vert.jpg Gallery On the move, left to right: Susan B. Anthony, Bella Abzug, Sylvia Ortiz, Peggy Kokernot and Michelle Cearcy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/78d4ac6c-1329-45b2-9dc0-bcd403454a9a/FNWC+NY+delegation+demonstrating+joyfully+new+page+250+bottom.jpg Gallery New York delegates celebrating the passage of the Plan of Action https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/74548d89-7caf-44ca-b13e-0dc78dbade0f/Mary+Crisp+corrected.jpg Gallery Mary Crisp, Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1b27d98a-631d-4888-a112-9b3819baee42/FNWC+Bus+Driver.jpg Gallery Bus driver for conference delegates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/f659fcea-f063-405c-9e0d-bbd2fea01a06/Houston+Mayor+and+Barbara+Jordan+cropped.jpg Gallery Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan observing the opening of the conference from adjoining seats onstage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/3cd81cbe-6f02-45e9-b514-1b5f96ae9ee8/IWY12.jpg Gallery Refreshment center and exhibition hall of the Albert Thomas Convention Center during the First National Women's Conference https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/d6aa52d4-5d93-4838-9229-552a2a323961/NYS+Dykes.jpg Gallery Two delegates at the Ny State Women's Meeting, supporting the Coalition slate and dyke. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c7255b1b-9712-465c-a5bd-fa7c873d2ec1/gesture+of+triumph+corrected.jpg Gallery Vinie Burrows performing a monologue she wrote at the Celebrating Women plenary of the NY State Women's Meeting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1644420739590-IU2AYVLIKV37KIJOIUDW/NYS+Helvi+Sipila.jpg Gallery Helvi Sipila the first-ever female Assistant-Secretary-General of the United Nations, speaking at the NY State Women's Meeting plenary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/28970dc3-c2a5-4ed4-bcf3-e6caf0792fb7/Hands+Clasped.jpg Gallery Delegate in wheelchair https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6fc1c9cb-20bd-4084-9468-42da328f5e25/FNWC+Bella+and+Carter+shaking+hands+at+White+House.jpg Gallery Bella Abzug, IWY Presiding Officer, delivers The Spirit of Houston, the official report to President Carter in the White House, March, 1978 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e6eaa35f-2bc7-4909-81d1-9d4583df732a/IWY18.jpg Gallery Sign beyond tree announcing the First National Women's Conference at the Albert Thomas Convention Center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/9ac16d6c-f027-493a-a81a-840b16b4209e/Maya+Angelou%2C+Liz+Carpenter%2C+three+meeting.jpg Gallery IWY Commissioners Liz Carpenter and Maya Angelou, at right, meeting Sylvia Ortiz, Peggy Kokernot and Michelle Cearcy, who together were to carry the torch's last mile. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/7403aca6-9e45-48a6-98e3-4bbcfcfbc9e2/We+didn%27t+burn+them+copy.jpg Gallery Delegates in support of the ERA hold up bras with the phrase: We Didn't Burn Them https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/9604a720-457c-4cdb-869b-0f6aac62481b/Booted+one+at+FNWC+32-8+copy.jpg Gallery Many delegates were women of style as well as substance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e4de885b-5841-4d2a-a429-8bab0f3dc85f/FNWC+Keep+em+the+closet.jpg Gallery Delegate holds up sign with hand-designed and illustrated message: "Keep 'em in the closet." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/7c8f9dd3-f930-4cbd-a8f5-97d4645fb272/FNWC+Joan+Gubbins+close-up.jpg Gallery Delegate Joan Gubbins hols a press conference on the views of those delegates opposed to some of the planks in the National Plan of Action https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/91c3c143-1927-4ad3-92ee-d2a596520093/Jean+Stapleton+at+podium.jpg Gallery Jean Stapleton at press conference during the FIrst National Women's Conference https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/f361932a-d49b-41d9-b9fa-4beca3d474b5/Maya%2C+Liz+and+Betty+.jpg Gallery Maya Angelou, left, Betty Friedan, in red, Liz Carpenter, center, and Commissioner Sey Chassler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/19225f8f-1e0d-440e-a7f8-947e5d32ef33/3+first+ladies+and+Bella+new+page+242+top.jpg Gallery First Ladies Johnson, Carter and Ford hold up the torch that was run from Seneca Falls to Houston with Congresswoman Abzug for the opening of the First National Women's Conference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/5c002bff-5c6d-48e8-9ab8-d390d53f789a/Catholic+ERA+at+the+FNWC+15-28+copy.jpg Gallery Guidance center, booth of Catholic Women at the Exhibition Hall for the conference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1b84d12d-cd3a-42b9-b3cb-c14e3dc78dfc/politics+is+my+bag.jpg Gallery Delegate with "Politics is My Bag" tote https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/5c3561bb-7e6b-4b0f-bb04-5b31ea70df66/FNWC+Rosalynn+Carter+at+White+House+with+Women+on+the+Move.jpg Gallery First Lady Rosalyn Carter holds up her Women on the Move tee-shirt at the White House, March 1978, surrounded by IWY Commissioners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/265425bb-cdca-4ff1-a4d5-06edc84d4660/Jill+Ruckleshaus+signing+scroll.jpg Gallery Jill Ruckelshaus, First Presiding Officer of the IWY Commission under President Ford, signs the torch runners' scroll held by Peggy Kokernot, right and Pat Kery, center, National Relay Coordinator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/919b95f1-a141-4b87-adf5-3da4de5b257e/native+american+basketweaver.jpg Gallery Native American basket weaver at the Art Exhibits area of the NY State Women's Meeting, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY, July 1977 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/deff4a3c-c31b-41ad-8e80-2a409bee5ed0/Betty+Friedan+for+the+ERA+at+FNWC+5-31+copy.jpg Gallery Betty Friedan, author of The Feminist Mystique, at right in the last mile of the torch relay from Seneca Falls to the First National Women's Conference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/b00098e6-9a2f-4d43-b1e5-979b89774f1e/Majority.jpg Gallery Delegates wearing anti-ERA "Majority" ribbon crocheting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e7d3f66f-fe0f-4691-a31e-61bc88505e32/IWY3.jpg Gallery Congresswoman Bella Abzug pledges allegiance to the flag https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/a9a798a8-29b0-4d93-897c-148d5d02683f/NYS+Bella+Abzug+at+podium.jpg Gallery Bella Abzug greetings participants at the Celebrating Women opening plenary of what she called the First NY State Women's Meeting, Albany, July 1977 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/a5e8c245-3098-4ba3-8ce0-faab2cc60dcc/DMH+at+FNWC+13-3+copy.jpg Gallery Diana Mara Henry signs up for a cause in the exhibition hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/8d555584-7b9d-454d-9b14-741bdf3f8041/IWY2.jpg Gallery Delegate, raising her cane, votes from her wheelchair https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/a00a8b43-c5bc-4b8d-8c21-5326869dfb4c/Karen+De+Crow+celebrating.jpg Gallery Karen De Crow, former president of N.O.W.,at left, still at work during a celebration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/303b3aa4-de2c-41e2-9c4c-ada75edce854/NYS+Oral+historian+interviewing.jpg Gallery Taking a delegate's oral history, interviewer and subject share a happy moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/307d2f69-c596-496d-9343-a95c882e42c5/DMH+ready+to+go+at+FNWC+32-16+copy.jpg Gallery Official photographer of the First National Women's conference, Diana Mara Henry goes over the schedule, the Haliburton case she borrowed from a photographer friend at her feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c3db5de6-b1c6-434c-865a-f0703f4d6ec9/IWY14.jpg Gallery Commissioner applauding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e3fdccca-151b-462e-ba88-40b8370fb2c4/Midge+Costanza+speaking.jpg Gallery Margaret "Midge" Costanza giving a "Lecture from the Top" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/20730124-1e6b-450a-b15e-680ae75ef6c3/NYS+Parlementarians.jpg Gallery Parlementarians at work at the outdoor plenary of the NY State Women's meeting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/90591733-c4d1-4693-a010-688d59d838ef/IWY16.jpg Gallery Earnest delegate with a hat full of buttons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/78e83b85-a47b-4853-8379-c55e7c072ae1/IWY15.jpg Gallery Bella Abzug and close associate https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e2b4e476-34d6-4d3b-bc00-fb3cb9ed4cf2/NASA+booth.jpg Gallery Taking pictures at the NASA booth's display: "Picture Yourself as an Astronaut." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c873bdf2-0bd9-49ad-8039-eeca9b636269/Proud+woman+with+flag.jpg Gallery Presenter at the Celebrating Women plenary opening the NY State Women's Meeting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/dbfcb6db-37fd-4947-9b2b-748238ca7d5f/IWY17.jpg Gallery Learning carpentry skills in the exhibition hall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/b80404b5-a41d-440f-8847-fd3029fa2fbc/Tip+O%27Neill+%26+Bella+Abzug.jpg Gallery Presiding Officer of the IWY Commission delivers The Spirit of Houston, the official report on the First National Women's Conference, to Speaker of the House Thomas Phillip "TIp" O'Neill, Jr, March , 1978 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ce6f82a3-dc5b-48aa-bbaf-2335ab0d33e5/Photographer+with+brownie.jpg Gallery Delegate with a brownie camera and flash deciding on her next phtoograph https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/cca9a0fc-02d3-4df0-a73d-9f65cf7f25b2/FNWC+Grand+opening+color.jpg Gallery Grand opening of the FIrst National Women's Conference, left to right: Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman, Commissioner, LadyBird Johnson, her daughter Linda RObb, Rosalyn Carter, Betty Ford, Congresswoman and Presiding Officer Bella Abzug, Donna De Varona, Suzy Chaffee, Peggy Kokernot, Michelle Cearcy and Sylvia ORtiz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/460a26c6-7a69-473e-95ee-2250b7ab16d5/Karen+Burstein.jpg Gallery NY delegate Karen Burstein with her voting plate in her lap https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ebd6c440-f537-4a94-b588-5523832792dd/Welfare+celebration.jpg Gallery Delegates celebrating the passage of the Women, Welfare and Poverty plank of the National Plan of Action https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/842d345a-e535-4810-8bf2-b413810f3999/Phyllis+Schlafly.jpg Gallery Phyllis Schlafly and press conference for her "Pro-Family" counter-convention https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/a1dd4419-6900-4210-98c2-5b7dd4d517d3/Pensive+expression.jpg Gallery Delegate Freddie Groomes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/a9218a9b-6c4c-4195-9ec2-50a1098b6515/Pensive+young+delegate.jpg Gallery Young delegate with a lapful of papers, chin in hand https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/e57a84a2-1f4d-406e-95fe-64658f29e6de/She+held+it+together+at+FNWC+10-26.jpg Gallery Commissioner serving as a parlementarian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/54fd6dc3-d17e-4223-b64a-c17637bffb31/%EF%80%A0majority%EF%80%A0.jpg Gallery Crocheting "Majority" delegates sit out the celebration of a plank of the Plan of Action https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/fda47db6-788d-4c68-b632-cf0dc3013e9e/Jean+O%27Leary.jpg Gallery Commissioner Jean O'Leary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ece87a1c-9f12-4a22-b9ce-653a1fe07b82/FNWC+prof+photograhers.jpg Gallery Photographers came in an out on limited passes to record the action. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/39dff3ec-aa95-4818-87ed-8905df90b023/Delegate+writes+in+diary.jpg Gallery Delegate writing in her journal at Houston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/cefcd6db-8292-4f1a-b7aa-9ce3b48ba270/GLoria+Lucy+and+Rita.jpg Gallery GLoria Steinem and Lucy Komisar in discussion of the program with Liz Carpenter foreground right and Commissioner Rita Ellway to her left https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/aa5cfa49-d376-4c43-ad10-049cfb92d528/IWY13.jpg Gallery Delegation from American Samoa in native dress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/f5a08e6e-8aab-4520-8114-82370690df16/Delgate+with+Robert%27s+Rules.jpg Gallery Delegate invoking Robert's Rules. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/9b8d8e41-feeb-4253-ad50-2fdc93a3bf0a/Houston+policewoman.jpg Gallery Houston policewoman at work at the conference https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/dde396f2-1b20-4bf8-826e-eab349211a97/FNWC+elderly+delegate.jpg Gallery Older delegate in a pensive moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/3f86e638-c3bc-45f7-819c-9945e4001efb/IWy+Two+farm+women.jpg Gallery Delegates stay late in the conference hall to discuss the Rural Women plank. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/7a63ad6a-41ae-4a73-af1e-c99926d28cbc/Linda+Robb+applauding.jpg Gallery Linda Johnson Robb https://www.spiritofhouston.net/herstory daily 0.75 2024-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/5dc98133-ee12-4749-8539-a6c8a8e32cef/Bella+early+at+podium+copy.jpg Herstory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/0548ce20-512f-4a0d-b8ef-6adfb75fd8d8/Liz+Carpenter.jpg Herstory Liz Carpenter at the 1976 NYC Fundraiser at Lincoln Center for the National Women’s Political Caucus, co-founded by Liz Carpenter. Photo © Diana Mara Henry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/c4dba9a4-009a-4a9f-8a74-83673f2c927e/Liz+and+Christy+Carpenter+A+Century+for+Women+%E2%80%94.jpg Herstory One of the images from the article shared by Christy Carpenter. Thank you! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ae932957-2e37-428a-8ff5-6e3cd72b224b/Feminist+Political+Advocate+Leah+Novick+flyer.jpg Herstory - Tribute to the Conference Organizer Lee Novick was the conference organizer, who pulled together and set up all the pieces to make this vast political convention work. Her contribution has not been honored sufficiently; let us start here. Images by Diana Mara Henry of Lee with microphone next to Bella Abzug, leading the backstage tour of the Albert Thomas Convention Center in Houston for IWY Commissioners before the start of the First National Women’s Conference; and below that, of a march for the ERA on Fifth Avenue in NYC at the time of the Democratic National Convention, 1976: Lee Novick at left, with Karen De Crow, President of the National Organization for Women/NOW, wearing a sash. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/afeee790-050e-4681-b70f-bd97aac55617/Michelle+speaking+with+Peggy+and+Sylvia+copy.jpg Herstory At the 35th anniversary speaking event and exhibit of Diana Mara Henry’s official photographs, the three women chosen to carry the torch into the convention center at Houston for the opening of the Conference were reunited, and shared the hope that TIME magazine would publish a true picture of their equal honor and shared participation that day. Left to right: Peggy Kokernot, Michelle Cearcy and Sylvia Ortiz. Right: Peggy Kokernot Kaplan today, holding the notorious cover and wearing the sweatshirt for her alma mater. A new book is forthcoming on the history of women's intercollegiate sports at Trinity University in San Antonio. The author, Betsy Pasley, writes that she was a track teammate of Peggy’s in 1975 and that Peggy “plays a large role in the story of our book.” The book will be published by the end of year by the non-profit Trinity University Press. Can’t wait! Peggy writes, 2/25/22: ”Once Title IX was passed, one of my female professors who knew I liked running, suggested I start the first women's track team at Trinity, which I did. It took some effort convincing the athletic department director, but we got it done. Surprisingly, the women's team was more successful than the men's. I qualified for national's running the 880 yd. dash. My racing career started at Trinity but then at the Women's Conference, where I met Jacqueline Hansen, former world record holder in the marathon, it took another turn. Thanks to Jacqueline and some others for filing a lawsuit against the International Olympic Committee, women were once again given the opportunity they deserved! ..This time, to have the first Women's Marathon in the Olympics in 1984.” “ Wow, wow, wow..I'm ready to run it again" - Peggy (7/28/12) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6a215f13-d554-4c24-848e-604da15fc539/2022-PeggyKTime+mag+from+Betsy.JPEG Herstory Peggy Kokernot Kaplan today, holding the notorious cover and wearing the sweatshirt for her alma mater. A new book is forthcoming on the history of women's intercollegiate sports at Trinity University in San Antonio by Betsy Pasley. See Peggy’s mother Edith May Babcock’s History of the Last Mile, written in 2003, a reflection for the 25th anniversary of the Torch arriving in Houston to open the Women’s Conference of 1977. Submitted to Jo Freeman for National Women’s Conference website. In addition, as a veteran feminist, an interview with Edith at the 40th anniversary of the Women’s Conference can be viewed by clicking the following link: VFA Pioneer Histories Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/75987ee5-c1eb-45f3-b17f-9d106056cf99/IMG_4829.jpg Herstory Peggy was the only one of the three final torch bearers to be depicted on the cover of Time or inside, excluding Michelle Cearcy and Sylvia Ortiz. See the entire cover story in the pages of Time, at the Blog page of this website, courtesy of Peggy Kokernot Kaplan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1584acf0-5079-4c36-bc01-b08a8b6bbbf0/muph051-s01c-i00379-001+Peggy+lectures+Billie+Jean+King.jpg Herstory Sylvia Ortiz, Peggy Kokernot and Michelle Cearcy were the three who carried the torch for the last mile of the torch relay from Seneca Falls to the Albert Thomas convention center for the opening of the First National Women's conference, Houston 1977. Here they are at the staging area, with Peggy making a point to Billie Jean King. Betty Friedan, at right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/5994e618-6c68-48a7-8c31-1ee91ca015ca/Grand+opening+of+FNC+color.jpg Herstory - “My name is Sylvia Ann Ortiz, and I am contacting you about meeting you 35 years ago at the Convention in Houston, Texas. It was my first involvement in the women's movement! I am hispanic, female, and have enjoyed a fun and successful career as a teacher/coach for the past 35 years and I cannot tell you how much of an impact you had on my life as a female athlete,” wrote Sylvia Ortiz before the 35th anniversary event.…..The more I read and see pictures, I am looking forward to what the future holds in terms of finding out where so many of us are in our lives today,” ”I can't wait to let [Peggy] know how grateful I am that she was able to get us together! {Diana,] I hope you know how much I appreciate you making me feel like the most important woman in the world. I mean really, to be photographed with so many important women who have had such an impact on all of our lives is truly an honor. More than that, I am so thankful you chose to be so persistent in finding me and grateful you have taken on this huge task of hosting such an incredible event! Look forward to staying in touch! Sincerely, Sylvia.” On stage, left to right: Elizabeth Holtzman, LadyBird Johnson, Linda Robb, Rosalyn Carter, Betty Ford, Bella Abzug, Donna De Varona, Suzy Chaffe, Peggy Kokernot, Michelle Cearcy, Sylvia Ortiz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/630a3867-d5d0-43b4-ac16-bc805858898c/MIchelle+Cearcy+inside+FNWC+cropped.jpg Herstory - Michelle Cearcy wrote: It has been a pleasure talking with you (on several occasions), and I was amazed to learn that people were actually searching for me 35 years later post that huge event: Women on the Move Conference Houston, Texas 1977. I am so excited to relive this event and can't wait to see everyone again especially Peggy who gave me a "shout-out" from Ohio. I was very young then and do not remember very much other than having a wonderful time and meeting all the celebrities. I still can't believe all the GREAT photos taken then that I recently received that were not in the book - Thank you very much. For those who don't know me My name is Michelle Cearcy, and I am still a Woman on the Move. I realized my gift as an athlete is what I truly enjoy and yearn to share with others. Over the last 35 years, my life continues to consist of many roles: Working professional, Certified Aerobics Instructor, Volleyball player, Softball player, Volunteer Coach for Adult Co-Ed Volleyball & Softball teams,Empire, Referee, Mother and Wife. There is no greater gift than Motherhood, and I am proud to say that I have three (3) handsome sons: Michael, Marcus and Charlie (my very own athletic protege); they are the reason I keep going, and I hope the morals and guidance my parents taught me continue to live through them. I want to thank my own mother, Patricia Cearcy, for allowing me to participate in the 1977 Women on the Move event when I was 16 years old because, then, I didn't realize the impact the conference would have on my life. Immediately following the event, I received phone calls from various magazines and television networks wanting to interview me about the conference which gave me a new sense of self as a young, black female teenager. Since then I went on to graduate from Phyllis Wheatley High School and proceeded to San Jacinto Jr. College on a Volleyball Scholarship. I was selected to play with United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) as one (1) of two (2) African Americans on the team which afforded me the opportunity to travel through- out the U.S. playing various tournaments. In 1983, I began working with The City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and now work with the City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department. I am a full time student as well and would like to encourage all young women to never give up on your dreams or think it is too late to achieve those dreams. Life may throw road blocks in your path but those road blocks are there just to make you stronger and with support from parents, guardians, mentors and spiritual guidance you can achieve anything. I hope to continue to be a strong, positive example for all women as I continue to grow and enjoy life. Blessings, Michelle Cearcy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/4404b47d-6668-4dae-a0cd-d77e4fed9062/GLoria+Lucy+and+Rita.jpg Herstory On backstage tour of the Albert Thomas Convention Center before the opening of the First National Women’s Conference, Liz Carpenter with Gloria Steinem, Lucy Komisar, and Rita Ellway, commissioners. Thank you, RIta, for this precious clipping! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/6a8edb31-f2ab-4790-94ed-f00d1bc8c9d8/Rita_Houston_women%27s_conference_10-30-1977-1.jpg Herstory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/f16e4f12-ec8a-435b-a004-93f1bcd0b30a/Rita+Brogan+article+2012.jpg Herstory "Thank YOU. This has been a major undertaking. And a lifetime accomplishment. Rita" ( IWY Commissioner) as Rita wrote to Diana Mara Henry for the 35 anniversary celebration in NYC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/ca5e653f-fa0f-457f-9d01-5fde1d00e2ff/Congresswoman+Patsy+Mink+watermarked+smaller.jpg Herstory - US Representative Patsy Mink of Hawaii, first woman of color to serve in US Congress Judy Tzu-Chun Wu Director of the Humanities Center Professor of Asian American Studies Chancellor’s Fellow University of California, Irvine Her Book: Co-author with Gwendolyn Mink, Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress (May 2022) Judy invited Diana Mara Henry to speak to her students at UC Irvine on 2/24/22 about her coming of age as a feminist and being the official photographer at Houston and the NY State Women’s Meeting. Judy commented: “Thank you so much, Diana. It was so inspirational! I’m deeply appreciative of your generosity and insights!” Leandra Zarnow, of the University of Houston, also attended. She wrote: “Such a rich conversation. Thank you Diana! Your preservation work is so important and we are so appreciative of your photographic work that captured history as it was made. Thank you for this evening.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/58f14183-8a7a-40c9-a7ee-52de9781b0c0/FNWC+commissioners+in+hotel+room+cropped.jpg Herstory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1655836245047-2JK9PY5WB70PEOPTYUNM/FNWC%2Bcommissioners%2Bin%2Bhotel%2Broom%2Bcropped.jpg Herstory https://www.spiritofhouston.net/artist-talk daily 0.75 2022-05-26 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/welcome daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/contact-sheets daily 0.75 2024-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/7bf0c466-f8c9-4601-af31-ed2204163b99/muph051_fnwc-004+resized+smaller.jpg Contact Sheets - Make it stand out One contact sheet print of 32 rolls of film used by Diana Mara Henry to take the official photographs of the First National Women’s Conference. Thanks to UMass Amherst’s curator of Rob Cox Special Collections, Danielle Kovacs, for making high-res scans of them in 2017 for the 40th anniversary conference at the University of Houston to display. The conference organizers passed on the offer to display them as murals. The contact sheets are all online now as part of the 152 images of the First National Women’s Conference, out of 2041 images online from the Diana Mara Henry Twentieth Century Photographer Special Collection Photographs copyright © Diana Mara Henry. https://www.spiritofhouston.net/membership daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/030a0753-eb1b-4e36-a1fc-a8aa3d284f4a/Barbara+Jordan+signing.jpg Membership Barbara Jordan signing autographs after her keynote address in Houston, 1977. https://www.spiritofhouston.net/women-on-the-move-book daily 0.75 2022-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/bb63926d-b12d-4bc1-8e25-47b579ff2e58/As+Yet+Unseen+Book+at+VSC+cover.png Women on the Move Book https://www.spiritofhouston.net/women-on-the-move-book/p/women-on-the-move-book monthly 0.5 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1652887743762-QGNM17MSDOWYI1O9VQVS/Women+on+the+move+book+cover+smaller.jpg Women on the Move Book - Women on the Move Book https://www.spiritofhouston.net/work daily 0.75 2022-02-09 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/work/shopping monthly 0.5 2022-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1644880448147-Z3ZZGEXLO5NWCS4NXM4B/IWY+new+cover+draft+improved+smaller+still.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats The Spirit of Houston is the complete contemporary document about the only federally-funded national US conference about, by and for women. “I still did not know that women as a group could be competent, courageous and loyal to each other; that we could conduct large, complex events and honor each other’s diversity; that we could literally make a history that was our own. But we can. Houston taught me that. And I hope this lesson will not be lost, but carried into the future.” - from the introduction by Gloria Steinem. Just in time for the 45th anniversary of the First National Women’s Conference, here is The Spirit of Houston The First National Women’s Conference: the Official Report to the President, the Congress and the People of the United States, first published in 1978. Out of print practically since then, this is the complete historic document brought out in a facsimile edition by its official photographer, with a new cover, more of her photographs, and a brilliant essay by Gloria Steinem that also has not been republished since 1978. With hundreds of photographs, The Spirit of Houston is a unique resource for historians, students and anyone interested in women’s history. Including the text of each of the 24 planks that were voted on as a Plan of Action for the great issues of the day, this is a primary source that reads as easily as a conversation with the great feminist leaders (and some of their opposition) of a turning point in U.S. history. All the challenges that confronted society at the time and a great many of which have been resolved today…or have they? Join the culminating event of the Women’s Movement of the 1970’s that started 15 years earlier with the publication of The Feminine Mystique. The Spirit of Houston includes photographs and writings by and about its author, Betty Friedan, and its Presiding Officer, the legendary and fiery leader, Congresswoman Bella Abzug. Read the thoughts of, and see, other iconic women such as Billie Jean King, Coretta Scott King, Margaret Mead, Patsy Mink, Jean O’Leary, Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke, Angela Cabrera, Audrey Row-Colon, Cecilia Preciado-Burciaga, Florynce Kennedy, Midge Costanza, Kathryn Clarenbach, Liz Carpenter, Jean Stapleton, Addie Wyatt, Mary Crisp, Eleanor Smeal, Jill Ruckelshaus, three First Ladies Betty Ford, Rosalyn Carter and Ladybird Johnson, and Barbara Jordan, who gave the keynote address. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/cdae4630-73e4-4be9-8587-57fef03a1e25/Screenshot+of+final+back+cover.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats - The Spirit of Houston: The First National Women’s Conference: An Official Report to the President, the Congress and the People of the United States The program Mrs. America trivialized, dramatized, or overlooked the issues and personalities who formulated the plan of action whose planks are given here in their original words, and the minority opinions that also were presented: The Declaration of American Women, penned by Maya Angelou, Arts and Humanities, Battered Women, Business, Child Abuse, Child Care, Credit, Disabled Women, Education, Elective and Appointed Office, Employment, the Equal Rights Amendment/ERA, Health, Homemakers, Insurance, International Affairs, Media, Minority Women, Offenders, Older Women, Rape, Reproductive Freedom, Rural Women, Sexual Preference, Statistics, Women, Welfare and Poverty, and an ongoing Committee of the Conference. The Spirit of Houston is a great look back and inspiration going forward. State-by-state information with delegate names and accounts of the preliminary women’s meetings in all 50 states and US territories are among the many additional features that tie this book to the grassroots. The public law that brought the conference into being, its rules of order, portraits and bios of the commissioners, a tour of the convention center displays by NGOs and nonprofits, a chapter on international perspectives, a portrait of Baby ERA, even the music and lyrics of “We Shall Go Forth” - the anthem of the conference - and Caroline Bird, the conference historian’s “Houston Day by Day,” drill down and give the flavor and resonance of this unique and memorable event. This is a VINTAGE FACSIMILE EDITION expanded with the addition of an introductory essay by Gloria Steinem, never-republished since 1978! Thank you to Gloria and all those who contributed their thoughts and images to this book. More of the official photographs have also been added. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1646142980482-WSOLO478UGCS88OBVAI5/Womens+activism+postcard+collection+lower+res.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1646143963039-74PRI8FBFQO90KHSFVFX/FNWC+Postcard+collection+lower+res.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1646335302192-U9TLQYT4R4JIU4M9I2AP/Companionship%252Bcropped%252Blower%252Bres.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1646335740086-Z1ZTBSOPX7COS4OXNLBI/Men+postcards.jpg Work - Teeshirts, books and treats https://www.spiritofhouston.net/work/upcomingevents monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1648149893558-M7T3SJBZ5NXBNKB3CHO4/Screenshot%25252B2022-03-24%25252B124255%25252BSylvia%25252BGarcia%25252Bwith%25252Bteeshirt%25252Bfront.jpg Work - Events US Representative Sylvia Garcia a delegate at the First National Women's Conference in 1977, displays her tee shirt signed by Gloria Steinem. https://www.spiritofhouston.net/work/speakers monthly 0.5 2022-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/74fe44c3-7342-4a3a-b052-6c1504cc0d19/Dianelle+Friedman+book.jpg Work - Talent - The Untold Story of the Torch Relay "Taking it the the Streets: The Untold story of the Tumultuous 3,000-Mile Torch relay to the 1977 Women's National Conference" is the topic Danielle Friedman will be presenting to the Organization of American Historians 2022 conference on April 2. Author of Let's Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World (January 2022). Out now! “Danielle Friedman’s fact-packed but bouncy new book about women and exercise in 20th-century America … is very much ‘pro’ exercise, but for the right reasons: not slimming down but mood management, community, spirituality in the corporal.” —The New York Times Let’s Get Physical reclaims these forgotten origin stories—and shines a spotlight on the trailblazers who led the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1653492308633-W310J4D2KO7H0ZZV1L4Z/Bettye+Lane+by+DMH+at+Du+Bois.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/8377b0cd-2580-4159-8e15-29f8db5456de/GLoria+Lucy+and+Rita+cropped+copy.jpg Work - Talent Gloria Steinem, Lucy Komisar, Liz Carpenter, Rita Elway at Houston 1977 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/d2646000-adeb-4b41-a857-a2de0660f073/Lucy+Komisar+p626.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/52f37111-a504-4223-8627-1ec82e3ae44b/The+Nation%2C+With+the+Women+at+Houston+-+Feminism+as+National+Politics+by+Lucy+Komisar-p624.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/0548a4cc-0d0a-4002-823f-188b2eea504f/The+Nation%2C+With+the+Women+at+Houston+-+Feminism+as+National+Politics+by+Lucy+Komisar-p627.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/86dfe8fc-29d2-432d-a0bd-f92818fcae8c/The+Nation%2C+With+the+Women+at+Houston+-+Feminism+as+National+Politics+by+Lucy+Komisar-title.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/12557fbe-6a6b-4da2-a1ea-cb0e23e45e32/The+Nation%2C+With+the+Women+at+Houston+-+Feminism+as+National+Politics+by+Lucy+Komisar-p625.jpg Work - Talent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/84ced732-6818-4ea6-ab25-f923ad8a0702/The+Nation%2C+With+the+Women+at+Houston+-+Feminism+as+National+Politics+by+Lucy+Komisar-title.jpg Work - Talent https://www.spiritofhouston.net/work/resurvey monthly 0.5 2022-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e9cc97af14b745f4f60fab/1649417282278-N66Z09WWUPW39LIX4Y3D/Dottie%252BArceneaux%252Bpage%252Btop.jpg Work - Resurvey of participants of the First National Women's Conference Resurvey of participants to the First National Women's Conference https://www.spiritofhouston.net/videos daily 0.75 2022-03-23 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/videos/v/35thanniversaryevent monthly 0.5 2022-02-04 https://www.spiritofhouston.net/videos/v/40thanniversaryatthuniversityofhouston monthly 0.5 2022-02-04