Lt Gov Rell Challenges Students: Who Is Your Connecticut Heroine?

HARTFORD — Lt Governor M. Jodi Rell earlier this month announced her second annual essay contest to raise awareness of the contributions Connecticut women have made locally and throughout the world.

“Connecticut is one of many states that has designated March as Women’s History Month. Since the founding days of our nation, generations of Connecticut women have made innumerable contributions in the fields of literature, government, business, and education,” said Lt Governor Rell in announcing an essay contest for sixth graders across the state.

“So many women from our state have helped shape our nation from its earliest days, so I’ve asked sixth graders from across the state to become involved in Women’s History Month by writing essays about the accomplishments of Connecticut women,” said Lt Governor Rell.

Connecticut’s history is rich with remarkable and accomplished women, including Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the president of G. Fox & Co, a business leader and philanthropist; Donna Lopiano, the executive director of the Women’s Sports Foundation and crusader for sports equity; Betty Tianti, the nation’s first woman president of a state AFL-CIO federation; and Ella Grasso, the first woman in the nation to be elected governor in her own right.

Each school district in the state was invited to participate in the 300-word essay contest. Students were asked to focus on one notable Connecticut woman, living or deceased, detailing her life and accomplishments. School administrators have sent in the top two essays from their district. Students from dozens of schools are participating.

“I will carefully read through these essays and make the difficult decision of choosing three statewide winners. We can be proud of all of the sixth graders who took the time to write these essays and learn about important women in Connecticut’s history,” said Lt Governor Rell.

The two essayists from each district will be invited to meet with Lt Governor Rell at the State Capitol on March 28 to receive a citation and to participate in a special recognition ceremony. All students who participate will receive a letter of thanks and commendation from the Lt Governor.

Three statewide winners will be chosen from among the district winners; the three statewide winners will each receive a US Savings Bond.