Creating a More Abundant Life for Women & Girls
Out of the Past Comes the Future for a more abundant life for New Mexico’s women and girls
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt began his presidency on March 4, 1933 he made a pledge to create a “New deal to aid the forgotten man.” In his address to the Federal Council of Churches of Christ, December 6th, he said: “If I were asked to state the great objective which Church and State are both demanding for the sake of every man and woman and child in this country, I would say that that great objective is a more abundant life.”
The New Deal principles are as valid today as they were in 1933. Now, as then, we must focus on education and skill development for the many women in New Mexico who earn wages below the poverty level, are single parents, or are some of the 60% of the population who live in rural communities.
December 2008 marks the 75th anniversary of the first of the New Deal Art Projects called Public Works of Art Project. A celebration of this event will provide an opportunity to look to this chapter of history for ways to improve the lot of New Mexico’s women and cultivate economic opportunities that can make communities more livable. President Roosevelt’s use of culture as an avenue to create jobs served to restore the people’s faith in the nation and its founding principles.
A major goal of New Mexico Women’s Foundation through 2008 and beyond is to create more economic opportunities for women by reaching out to our state’s 211 community museums and encouraging them to include Handmade in New Mexico products in their gift shops. Such a collaboration is sure to be of benefit to artisans and museums, and will greatly enhance our celebratory events at the end of the year.
