Commentary: Three ladies to celebrate during Women's History Month
Juleyka Lantigua-Williams | The Progressive Media Project
McClatchy
March 12, 2010
As we observe Women's History Month, let's look beyond our borders to honor three remarkable women who are making history in their home countries.
First is Michelle Bachelet, 59, the former president of Chile. She was the first woman to ascend to her nation's highest office. A pediatrician by training, Bachelet has enacted sound economic policies that steered Chile through the global financial crisis, while at the same time attending to the needs of her citizenry. She instituted a minimum pension guarantee for the very poor and for low-income homemakers. She legalized alimony payments to divorced women and tripled the number of free early child care centers for low-income families. And when the enormous earthquake hit Chile on Feb. 27, she responded with calm, decisive leadership.