We Remember Our Women

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk Register of Deeds

Many Americans may never fully appreciate the strength, vision, and lasting impact of the women who have shaped our country, our communities, and our lives. Some of these individuals exhibited perseverance, others bold leadership, and still others through a lifetime of dedication, intellect, courage, and love. We all have women in our lives who were impactful and make each of us who we are today. On Wednesday, September 10, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will honor the impact and importance of women in our society with an open house and the release of We Remember Our Women, the fourth volume in the registry’s Notable Land Records series.

The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. in the registry’s Great Hall at 649 High Street in Dedham Center and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and guests will receive copies of We Remember Our Women. Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll will deliver keynote remarks, adding a powerful voice to an afternoon dedicated to honoring the women of Norfolk County.

The creation of the We Remember Our Women booklet was made possible by the registry’s History Comes Alive Transcription Project, which has transcribed over 450,000 handwritten land records dating back to 1793. These records now allow users to see the legal cursive script and clearly readable print text, which can more easily reveal the land histories of early Norfolk County residents. This repository of land records is available to the public both at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and online at norfolkdeeds.org.

This newest edition of Notable Land Records pays tribute to 44 women from the 28 communities of Norfolk County whose lives and work have left a lasting mark on society. Their stories span medicine, environmental advocacy, journalism, literature, and military service. Among those featured are the second female doctor in the United States, a conservationist from Canton, two female Army generals, a gold medal-winning gymnast, and an astronaut who recently returned from space. All living women featured in the booklet have been invited to attend the event, offering guests a rare opportunity to meet and celebrate these trailblazers in person.

The article also includes a few interesting facts that help bring these stories to life. One woman from Norwood helped shape national civil rights policy through decades of advocacy and leadership. Another, from Randolph, broke barriers in broadcast journalism, becoming a trusted voice in homes across the country. A trailblazer from Canton helped launch a conservation movement that changed how Americans protect wildlife. In Quincy, one woman’s legacy continues to influence the world of film and stage. These are just a few of the many inspiring stories found in the pages of We Remember Our Women.

Abigail Adams, the second First Lady of the United States, was born in 1744 in Weymouth. In 1764, she married John Adams. She was President Adams’ closest confidant and took an active role in politics and what was happening in the country. Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John during the Continental Congress debate in Philadelphia, “I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.” This event carries forward her message, recognizing those whose contributions continue to shape life in our communities and beyond.

There are a number of points throughout the year that recognize the impact and importance of women in our society. Women’s History Month is celebrated every March. Women’s Equality Day takes place on August 26 and commemorates the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the states and federal government from denying the right to vote to U.S. citizens on the basis of sex.

It is important to recognize and be mindful of the women in our contemporary society and all they have accomplished. Let us take a moment to thank all women who have made a difference in our communities and in our own lives. Our lives, our communities, and our country would not be what they are today without all of you. So come down to the Registry of Deeds in Dedham Center on Wednesday, September 10, to celebrate and give thanks.

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