Buttons (ACWH)

These buttons were collected at the National Women’s Convention which was held in Detroit, Michigan on October 27-29, 2017. The button second from the left in the second row portrays what I would call the event's logo. Racism, equal pay, abortion rights, the Dream Act, Palestinian rights, education, sexual abuse and rape were among the numerous issues addressed at the convention by numerous panels, speakers and organizations.

The Women's Studies Program at Frostburg State University is a multi-disciplinary approach that examines the impact and role of gender on art, philosophy, music, theater, history, literature, psychology and sociology. The idea for a "women's studies" program was first discussed among faculty members in the mid-1970's. However it would not be until the Fall of 1990 that it became a recognized academic program with course offerings and a Women's Studies minor.

On March 10, 2010, approximately 200,000 marched in Washington DC for immigration reform. Issues pertaining to women immigrants, "The Right To Liberty - The Right To Family", was a concern raised by many speakers and groups. Among the advocates in attendance for immigrants, and women immigrants in particular, was the United Methodist Women (UMW), which is the largest denominational faith organization for women with approximately 800,000 members whose mission, among other things, is to advocate for justice.

On March 10, 2012, Albert L. Feldstein spoke at a Women's History Month Celebration held in LaVale, Maryland. The event was sponsored by the Cumberland Business and Professional Women's Club, the Maryland National Organization for Women, and the American Association of University Women (Frostburg Chapter). The buttons on this page are from the collection of Linda A. Shevitz, Coordinator of the Maryland Women's History Project at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center, and presented to Al Feldstein for placement on this Historic Women of Allegany County Website:

The Victory Girls program was established during World War I and operated under the United War Work Campaign. This was a private organization comprised of seven organizations including the Salvation Army, Jewish Welfare Board, Knights of Columbus and more which were charged with coordinating fundraising for American servicemen. The Victory Girls program was aimed at young females between the ages of 12 and 20. The idea was for them to earn money, usually $5.00 apiece, and donate it to the United War Work Campaign.

In January 1973, in a landmark case known as Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court ruled that abortions are permissible for any reason a woman chooses (up until a certain point), and are also permissible after that point if necessary for the protection of the woman's health. The Court based this upon the constitutional right to privacy under the 14th Amendment.

National Women's History Week was originally established by a Congressional Resolution passed in 1981. This was expanded to National Women's History Month in 1987. Women's History Month highlights and draws attention to the history of women and their contributions to America. It is celebrated during March each year, with a Congressional Resolution followed by a Presidential Proclamation. The 1985 National Women's History Week button portrayed here was issued by the National Women's History Project (NWHP).

The following article, by Albert Feldstein, appeared in the APPA (Association for the Preservation of Political Americana) Standard, Volume III, Number 2, Summer 1976.

Cause Movements in America
Suffrage and Beyond: A Two-Part Synopsis of the Women's Movement