Gov. Kathleen Blanco has said she wants women everywhere to know they have the potential to succeed in life, and she used her image in a calendar to remind them that. other women of their abilities.
Blanco showed her support for women’s rights by contributing a photo for the January page of the Youth Organization of Generation 2000 calendar, which highlights women in careers without a normally strong female presence.
The Women Helping Women calendar is part of a fund-raising effort to support the national non-profit group’s youth shelters and mentoring programs.
Alicia Bradley, Youth Organization of Generation 2000 director, said the group seeks to help at-risk girls find a way to rise above their circumstances.
“A lot of our girls are pregnant and don’t know where to turn,” Bradley said. “This calendar is a way to show them that there are opportunities out there.”
Bradley said she was excited that Blanco decided to participate because she knows Blanco has a busy schedule.
“The governor gave us her blessing to be involved with the calendar,” Bradley said. “We were really surprised she agreed to be a part of our work.”
Blanco’s is the first picture in the calendar.
“When you open the calendar, there she is, right on the first page,” Bradley said.
Bradley said the governor’s involvement is a chance to show women the opportunities available to them in Louisiana.
“We want to show women that Louisiana is a woman-friendly state,” Bradley said.
In a written statement to The Daily Reveille, Blanco said that while she is amazed at how far women have come since the turn of the 20th century, she knows women still have challenges ahead of them.
“While we celebrate these successes, we must acknowledge the challenges we still face,” Blanco said. “We still face obstacles in lowering the glass ceilings that limit the progress of women in business.”
Bradley said it took about six months to approach companies throughout the country where women work in roles traditionally filled by men.
“The calendar features women working as airplane pilots, welders, construction workers and oil-field workers,” Bradley said. “They provide great examples to the girls we work with.”
Bradley said the project was a lesson in the strength of women.
“The hardest part was going out to the oil field in Texas,” Bradley said. “It was raining, but there were still women out there working.”
Bradley said the $10 calendars have been a success.
“We have raised about $8,000 so far,” Bradley said. “The governor’s involvement has been a big help to our organization. She is a great role model for our girls.”
Blanco said she understands her position as a role model for women and hopes to be an inspiration to the women of Louisiana.
“I am keenly aware that my successes, as well as my setbacks, will determine how well women of the future will be received in high office,” Blanco said. “I am determined to leave a positive legacy for them.”