A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of charlotte hawkins brown while observing women's history month.

Whereas, Women's History Month commemorates and applauds the struggles and accomplishments of women throughout the history of the United States; and
Whereas, in 1981, Congress enacted Public Law 97‑28, requesting the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as "Women's History Week"; and
Whereas, since 1987, Congress has passed legislation designating the month of March as "Women's History Month"; and
Whereas, women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made contributions to all facets of American life, including government, business, education, law, science, medicine, and the arts; and
Whereas, some of North Carolina's women history makers include: Dolley Madison, the first North Carolina native to become the wife of a United States president; Sarah Malinda Pritchard Blalock, the State's only known female Civil War soldier; Sallie Walker Stockard, the first woman to graduate from the University of North Carolina; Dr. Susan Dimock, the first female member of the North Carolina Medical Society; Elreta Alexander Ralston, the State's first female African‑American district court judge; Willa B. Player, the first African‑American woman to serve as president of Bennett College; Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray, the first African‑American woman to become an Episcopal priest; Isabella Cannon, the first woman to serve as mayor of a major North Carolina city; Katie Dorsett, the first African‑American woman to serve as Secretary of the State's Department of Administration; and Beverly Perdue, the State's first female Lieutenant Governor and Governor; and
Whereas, despite the countless contributions women have made and continue to make, their roles in history have consistently been inadequate in the teaching and studying of American history; and
Whereas, during Women's History Month, it is important to commemorate the women who have helped expand the opportunities of women, such as Charlotte Hawkins Brown, an educator, author, and civil rights leader; and
Whereas, Charlotte Hawkins Brown was born on June 11, 1883, in Henderson, North Carolina, and grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after her family moved there in 1888; and
Whereas, in 1901, Charlotte Hawkins Brown returned to North Carolina to serve as a teacher at the Bethany Institute, which was run by the American Missionary Association; and
Whereas, in 1902, Charlotte Hawkins Brown established the Alice Freeman Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina; and
Whereas, Charlotte Hawkins Brown transformed the school into a fully accredited, nationally recognized preparatory school that attracted students from across the United States and other countries; and
Whereas, Charlotte Hawkins Brown retired in 1952, knowing that she had helped to graduate over 1,000 students during her 50‑year tenure as president, and died in 1961; and
Whereas, the Palmer Memorial Institute closed in 1971, and today serves as a State historic site to honor the contributions of African‑Americans and women; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Charlotte Hawkins Brown and expresses its appreciation for her role in providing exceptional educational opportunities for African‑American women.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives honors all the women named in this resolution for their achievements and contributions to the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  The House of Representatives encourages the citizens of this State to participate in activities that commemorate and honor women for their invaluable contributions to our State and nation and to learn more about the significant roles women have had in the creation of our history during Women's History Month.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.