Letter: Time to go WILD after the big game

Women with leadership qualities accomplished many notable historical events, including these:

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S., emphasizing preventive care and personal hygiene, such as doctors washing their hands between examining patients.

Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927) was the first woman to run for president of the U.S. in 1872. (She ran as part of her Equal Rights Party but was several months short of 35 years of age at the time, so she technically was ineligible to hold the office.) She created a weekly women's magazine in 1870.

Jeannette Rankin (1880-1970) was, in 1916, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, advocating for the women's suffrage movement. She pushed for women's right to vote in Washington in 1911 and in Montana in 1914 and ultimately helped to pass the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right.

Alice Paul (1885-1977) drafted the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923 and actively campaigned for women's right to vote. Others include the first female mayor, governor, senator, Cabinet secretary, Supreme Court justice, House speaker, vice president, and the first women in corporate leadership, film achievements, innovations and inventions, literature and media, philanthropy, sports records and more.

Naturally, none outshines the one honorable position that matters most - Mom. Women deserve to be recognized, honored and celebrated every day. Since 1977, the United Nations recognizes the annual International Women's Day to "celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women."

The U.S. (or even Illinois) should institute its own way to recognize, honor and celebrate the care, example, leadership and service of women via a dedicated holiday, called "Women In Leadership Day" or "WILD."

The Monday after the NFL's "Big Game" should be reserved for such a distinct honor.

Rick Dana Barlow

Schaumburg