Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Virginia Blaser at Women's History Month 2009 Program in Collaboration with Women in Networking

Monday, March 16, 2009

IRC, U.S. Embassy

Talk on: “African-American Women Walking From Margins to Center: What Michelle Obama Can Teach Us”

Speakers: Paula Atchia (Women in Politics-WIN) and
Jocelyne Minerve (former Minister of Social Security and former Member of Parliament)

Honorable Nita Deerpalsing;
Honorable Danielle Perrier;
Honorable Leela Devi Dookun-Lutchoomun; 
WiN-ners;
Distinguished Guests;
Good afternoon;

Every March, the United States commemorates the contributions of women around the world.  This year’s National Women’s History Month gives us the opportunity to again highlight the efforts and success of women everywhere.  These women include environmentalists and conservationists, scientists, engineers, writers and filmmakers, teachers, community organizers, religious or workplace leaders, businesswomen and politicians all of whom contributed in a variety of ways to the betterment of our planet. 

In his Presidential Proclamation on International Women’s Day, President Barack Obama states, and I quote:

From the global challenge of climate change, to a world that is not yet free from poverty and conflict, our challenges are many.  Women are vital to the solutions to these problems, and we will not sow the seeds for a brighter future or reap the benefits of the change we need without the full and active participation of women around the world.

This past February, in our commemoration of Black History Month, we focused largely on the election of the first African-American President of the United States of America. 

We should not overlook, however, that the 2008 presidential election was also the first time Americans saw a woman, Hillary Clinton (who is now our Secretary of State), as a viable presidential candidate. The efforts of many women fighting for equal rights paved the way for Secretary of State Clinton and other women in U.S. politics today.

Speaking from the American perspective, we are proud of the progress we have achieved with regard to women in politics.  In the area of women’s rights, the legal barriers have come down and exemplary women have stepped forward to show us the way.

When I think of those role models, I think of women like Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat in 1955 and sparked a movement that led to the end of segregation.  I also think of women like Shirley Chisholm, who in 1968 became the first black Congresswoman and in 1972, the first black woman to contend for the presidency in the United States.  Coming closer to Mauritius, not far from here in Kenya, Wangari Maathai won the Nobel peace prize in 2004 for her grassroots activist campaigns to improve the environment and living conditions of people of her city and country.

And now, since January 20th, we have Michelle Obama, an African-American woman, as First Lady of the United States. Her poise, intellect and confidence will serve as an inspiration not only to African-American women but to the world as she shoulders the simultaneous responsibilities of First Lady, wife and mother.

We are proud to see that American women have taken advantage of the opportunities and have moved forward in every field.  I believe that is happening worldwide, including in Mauritius.  We don’t need special points or special treatment, we just need a chance to compete. 

Here I wish to congratulate Women in Networking, our partner this afternoon, for setting up Women in Politics in Mauritius.  In fact, I congratulate WIN for its struggle to transform politics in this country and applaud its efforts to double the number of women in Parliament by 2010. 

This is a tremendously important goal. 

And I encourage all those present today to help make it a reality. There is indeed more for us to do – here, in the United States, and in the rest of the world.

Let me end with some words from Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery herself and then, at tremendous risk, went on thirteen missions that rescued 70 other slaves, just a handful of the many courageous acts she performed during her lifetime. I believe Tubman spoke for all of us when she said,

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Thank you.