In order to recognize women’s history, I believe you must start at the very beginning. To me, the beginning is recorded in the book of Genesis with creation.

According to the scripture, Eve was the first, and therefore partially responsible for all that came thereafter. Surely, she should be considered in any recounting of women’s history.

March is Women’s History Month and March 8 is International Women’s Day.

Women have played a significant role in the annals of humankind. There is no denying the fact wars of sorts have been won and lost over a woman.

However, women have been more than just beautiful creatures, delightful companions and strong partners in the history of mankind.

Some women heroines’ accomplishments are recorded in the history books and some are not. Of course, I believe most would include their mothers in the category of not being in the history books, but deserving nonetheless.

In recalling those who made the history books, a few comes to mind.

Back in ancient times, we studied the likes of Jeanne d’Arc, (1412-1431) better know as Joan of Arc or the Maid of Orleans.

Young King Charles VII entrusted the army of France to an even younger Jeanne d’Arc to liberate the City of Orleans from the British during The Hundred Years’ War.

She was successful there, and in several other campaigns before being captured by the Burgundians, French allies with the English. The Burgundians sold Joan of Arc to the English who tried her as a witch, although she insisted her visions and voices were from heaven.

The English sentenced her to death by burning at the stake in 1431.

Joan of Arc was later exonerated of the charges and her status elevated to Sainthood.

There are many more prominent women to identify but limited space to do so. Cathay Williams (1842 -1892) was a young African-American woman who passed herself off as a man to join the Army in 1866.

Under the alias of William Cathay, she became the first and only black female Buffalo Soldier, even before it was legal for women to do so.

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) made a name for herself in nursing during the Crimean War. She was the founder of the nursing profession as we know it today.

Charlotte Digges “Lottie” Moon (1840-1912), a Southern Baptist missionary, spent nearly 40 years living and working in China.

Her legacy lives on today by way of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Harriet Tubman (1822?-1913) was a runaway slave from Maryland who helped funnel other slaves through the Underground Railroad to freedom in the north.

She is credited with saving over 300 and became know as the Moses of her people during the Civil War.

Mother Teresa, God’s servant to the poor, infirmed, destitute and dying. Anne Frank, a young casualty of the Holocaust.

I have to include some of my favorite local women heroines who may not be in the history books but are deserving. My World War II picks are the late Nettie Frances Eskridge, US Army Nurses Corps.

Nettie was one of the first in Dachau Concentration Camp after liberation. Geraldine Vaden, US Army Nurses Corps, served with distinction in North Africa and as head nurse at Ft. Slocum, N.Y.. Also, Helen Lattal, Women’s Army Corps, who served in England with the Mighty 8th Air Force.

Other  locals have served our community and  established themselves as Selma treasures. How could you omit someone like Mallieve Breeding, Madam Butterfly and clean city advocate, or Kitty McCrory Singley, Operation Christmas Child lady and former teacher, or Jane Moore, former teacher and Mother Hen to many and all children?

To all the wonderful women in our lives, both past and present, we exalt you to continue with dignity and grace.

Your legacy is safely enamored in all of us.