It’s that time of year to grab a thank you card and send a note of appreciation to a woman who has made a significant difference in your life. Can you name her? March is National Women’s History Month and it’s an annual reminder to celebrate women. This is your official call to action to do something.
The month-long observance dates to 1980, when former President Jimmy Carter issued a national proclamation to honor and recognize the extraordinary achievements of American women.
"Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well,” Carter said.
I was convicted by these words and began an intentional effort to recognize NWHM during Biola’s centennial celebration. I realized we were focusing historical appreciation and attention on our founders, R.A. Torrey, T. C. Horton and Lyman Stewart, great men of God, but paying very little to no attention to Anna Horton, wife of co-founder T.C. Horton, a godly woman who sought the heart of God through her leadership. She recruited and mentored the first female students of the Bible Institute. She served alongside her husband to develop curriculum and educate students, and played an active role in evangelism. It was time to recognize her role too!
We can’t forget the importance of her efforts and should strive to follow her example. Today, female students make up the majority of enrolled students at Biola and across colleges in the U.S. Female enrollment growth trends at universities show no signs of slowing down. In a 2011 study commissioned by the White House titled “Women in America, Indicators of Social and Economic Well Being,” women are projected to account for nearly 60 percent of total undergraduate enrollment by 2019 and have surpassed males in graduate schools since 1984. Women have higher graduation rates at all academic levels and account for the majority of undergraduate enrollment across all racial and ethnic groups. These demographics show us that Biola must be diligent about educating and mentoring our female students if we want to impact the whole world for Jesus Christ!
So, each March, let’s honor our modern day trailblazers like Virginia Moats with the Biola University Anna Horton Award given by the Office of the President. Let’s recognize staff, faculty, students and alumnae who exemplify godly women in the Bible — Deborah for Leadership and Wisdom, Esther for Obedience and Servanthood and Priscilla for Teaching and Mentoring — with the Biola Ruby Awards.
It is right for Biola to appreciate, recognize and honor women who go from this place to serve their families and communities both small and large, giving of themselves to make a difference in the life of another for the Kingdom.
This is the sixth annual celebration of NWHM and the theme is I Am … From this Place, reflecting on who we are in Christ. On Wednesday, March 20, chapel will honor Biola community women, so come to celebrate these modern day sheroes!
And in the spirit of encouraging a female, begin by saying, “I AM going to buy a card and send a note!” Be intentional about recognizing the roles women contribute to our personal lives, society and the world.
