March is National Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Project, established in 1980, works to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women. Each year this organization selects a theme, and this year’s them is Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.

In that same vein, this blog will feature excerpts from Democracy at the Doorstep, Too!, a 2012 book by ICMA members Mike Conduff and Melissa Byme Vossmer. Democracy at the Doorstep is an amalgamation of 59 true stories written by women in local government leadership positions. These stories provide readers an opportunity not only to discover how remarkable these women’s accomplishments are, but also to understand their perspectives. We will publish select stories here every Thursday throughout National Women’s History Month.

“Stories represent the chronicles of our lives. Women bring a passion and perspective to stories that can otherwise go missing.”

-Peggy Merriss, City Manager, Decatur, Georgia, and 2002 ICMA President

To find where to purchase Democracy at the Doorstep, Too! and other ICMA member-published books, visit the Member Books page on ICMA’s website.

You can find all the stories shared this month by visiting the Diversity & Inclusion Knowledge Network topic page. Join the conversation by Tweeting using the #WomensHistoryMonth!

Douglas Shontz

Knowledge Network Research and Content Development Associate