The Veteran Feminists of America honors women (and men) who pursue a feminist agenda without class consciousness and with a devotion to helping other women succeed. Honorees are united in their belief that neither gender nor class should determine the boundaries of ambition.
Today, an unprecedented number of women hold positions of distinction, power and leadership. However, these opportunities are determined, in addition to a woman’s own talent and drive, largely by the societies they live in. There are many places in the world where cultural norms imprison women because of their gender.
Not so long ago women in America were second-class citizens. The present generation need only ask their mothers or grandmothers what obstacles they faced in their youth to discover a world of injustice based on gender.
This year, the VFA will honor two categories of Texas women and men. Texas Pioneering Women had the strength, foresight and tenacity to break gender-based barriers and thus are role models for all. Some are Second Wave VFA Feminist Honorees who struggled in the 60s and 70s not only for themselves, but also for future generations of women so that their daughters and grandaughters might know the freedom to follow their dreams.