From The Pittsburgh Woman, February 1985, by Anne
Talvacchio.
Although Pennsylvania can pride
itself on being the first state in the U.S.
to add an Equal Rights Amendment to its
constitution, the sad fact remains that
the significant contributions of its
female citizens have been consistently
overlooked and undervalued.
In an effort to help redress that
imbalance, the following "quiz" offers a
glimpse into the fascinating record of
what it has meant to be a woman
throughout the 300 years of
Pennsylvania history. As such, the quiz
embodies the goals and spirit of National
Women's History Week celebrated this
coming March 3-10: to recognize the
many extraordinary and everyday
achievements of women in the past while
developing an appreciation for the
richness that women's experiences and
values continue to bring to America's
ongoing history.
The accomplishments of many of the
women mentioned here are milestones
in themselves, but women in western
Pennsylvania can take special pride in
this "hometown" tradition of courage,
independence, and ingenuity that is ours
to live up to.
- What Seneca Indian "reigned with great authority" for most of her life over a tribe of 30 families and through her devotion to the English played an influential part in their victory over France for the right to rule America?
- For what cultured, deeply religious, elegant yet thrifty, and charitable German woman is the town of Zelienople named?
- Embarking on a third career at 63, this Meadville-area woman gained public office in her first bid for election and without party backing at a time when women had only recently won the right to vote.
- At her first Democratic National Convention in 1924, this Westmoreland County native became the first American woman to receive a vote for the presidential nomination.
- Allegheny County elected its first female county commissioner, Bar