According to excerpts from A Proclamation on Women’s History Month credited to President Biden:
“Each year, Women’s History Month offers an important opportunity for us to shine a light on the extraordinary legacy of trailblazing American women and girls who have built, shaped, and improved upon our Nation.
As we celebrate the contributions and progress of women and girls, we must also reflect on the extraordinary and unequal burdens they continue to bear today.
Sixty years ago, when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt confronted President John F. Kennedy about the lack of women in Government, he appointed her as head of a new commission to address the status of women in America and take on discrimination in all of its forms…NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2021 as Women’s History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month and to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. I also invite all Americans to visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov to learn more about the vital contribution of women to our Nation’s history.”
On March 8, a series of events will take place at George Floyd Square (38th Street and Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis).
A call to prayer will begin at 8:00 a.m. Bells will be rung for one minute; then 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence will honor George Floyd’s life; this will be followed by one additional minute of bell ringing. (Congregations and individuals are invited to ring bells at this time as a commemoration of this memorial.)
If you haven’t already, go and like the Facebook page “Prayers for Justice for George Floyd and Black Liberation”. The “Global Day of Prayer” event is listed on the page. There you will find details about the day, and ways you can get involved. Please share it widely! Here’s the link to the event: https://fb.me/e/zozjurNL
In honor of Women’s History Month we join our prayers, hopes and appreciation for the many female identified, gifted leaders who work tirelessly from the shadows to do the healing work for Justice, Peace, Equity and Inclusion.
We offer this Prayer:
God of justice be gracious to all who align their hearts and minds to be in agreement with this prayer. Be gracious with those who do not. We ask that you listen to the hearts of all who are suffering during this time of Pandemic, season of change, anticipation of justice denied, and also those who suffer in silence. We pray for health and wholeness, for peace yoked to justice, for all who labor tirelessly on the frontlines of this fight against the Covid-19 virus. We pray for care and comfort for the families and loved one of the 520,000+ victims who have lost their lives to this virus. We pray for the many people who are being strategically and systematically denied their rights to exercise their rights to vote and participate in a democratic society.
Your Word, oh God, in Proverbs 3:27 and Romans 13:7 says give honor to whom honor is due. In obedience to your word we take time to honor this month Women, for all the ways they love, lead, serve, care, nurture, protect, instruct, heal, and oh God this list goes on and on.
We thank and praise you, Mothering Father God, for you are a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for you. Be gracious we pray in the name of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, comforter of all.
Amen
Babette Chatman
University Pastor