Honoring Women’s History Month

Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to pause and reflect on the courage, brilliance, and resilience of women who have shaped our communities, our nations, and our world. It is a time not only to celebrate well-known trailblazers, but also to honor the countless women — named and unnamed — whose leadership, sacrifice, creativity, and service have often gone unrecognized.

Women’s History Month reminds us that history is richer and more complete when every voice is heard. As we tell these stories, we don’t just look back — we gain inspiration to build a more just, compassionate, and courageous future.

Learn which famous women have inspired our Mighty Oaks clinicians!

Dr. Sarah

In a year of loud voices, particularly male voices, this March I feel inspired by women that not only shone their light in the face of adversity but ones that aspired to make the world a better place. Their legacy is one I strive toward for myself, my family, and my practice, and I am happy to share more these two amazing women.

Dolly Parton and Elizabeth Keckley

From a one-room cabin in Tennessee to the halls of the White House, Dolly Parton and Elizabeth Keckley come from vastly different worlds — yet their lives share a powerful common thread. Both women transformed humble beginnings into stories of resilience, compassion, and service, using their gifts not only to rise above hardship but to lift others along the way.

Dolly Parton

Before she was a global icon, Dolly Parton was a little girl growing up in a one-room cabin in Sevier County, Tennessee. Born in 1946 as one of twelve children, she often describes her childhood as “dirt poor” — but rich in love, music, and faith.

Her mother filled their home with songs and stories, and these early influences shaped Dolly’s greatest gift: storytelling. “I think I got my love of storytelling from my mama,” she has said. Music in church and on the porch taught her that stories could carry both pain and hope.

One of her most beloved songs, “Coat of Many Colors,” was inspired by a patchwork coat her mother sewed from scraps. Kids at school laughed at her, but her mother reframed it with love. Years later, Dolly reflected, “My mama always made something out of nothing.” What could have been a story about poverty became a story about dignity and imagination.

Even at the height of her fame, Parton has never forgotten her roots. “I never forget where I came from, and I never let success interfere with my values,” she once said. That grounding shows up not only in her music, but in her service.

In 1988, she founded the Dollywood Foundation, which later launched the Imagination Library in 1995. Inspired by her father, who could not read, the program mails free books to young children each month. “If you can read, you can dream. And if you can dream, you can do anything,” Dolly has said.

Her generosity doesn’t stop there. From supporting families affected by Tennessee wildfires to funding medical research, she gives consistently and often quietly. Her philosophy is simple: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”

Dolly Parton’s life is more than a success story. It’s a reminder that compassion can scale — that a girl from a mountain cabin can change the world not just with songs, but with service.

Elizabeth Keckley

Before she became a trusted confidante in the White House, Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery in 1818 in Virginia. Her early life was marked by hardship, family separation, and abuse — realities she later described with remarkable honesty in her memoir, Behind the Scenes.

Yet even in bondage, Keckley possessed extraordinary skill and determination. She became an expert seamstress and dressmaker — talents that eventually allowed her to purchase her freedom and that of her son in 1855. Reflecting on her long struggle, she wrote, “The child of slavery was taught to look forward to God for help.” Faith and perseverance were her steady companions.

After gaining her freedom, Keckley moved to Washington, D.C., where her reputation for exquisite dressmaking quickly spread among elite circles. Her skill eventually brought her to the household of Mary Todd Lincoln. There, she became more than a dressmaker — she became a trusted friend and emotional support to the First Lady during one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

Throughout the Civil War, as President Abraham Lincoln led a divided nation, Keckley quietly served behind the scenes. She comforted Mary Lincoln through personal grief, including the devastating loss of her son Willie. Keckley later wrote, “I do not think that Mrs. Lincoln would have passed through her trials had it not been for the sympathy of friends.” Her role was not political power — it was steadfast presence.

But Keckley’s service extended far beyond the White House. During the Civil War, she founded the Contraband Relief Association, an organization that provided food, clothing, and assistance to newly freed Black men, women, and children fleeing slavery. Having known suffering firsthand, she was determined to help others build stable, dignified lives.

Her memoir, published in 1868, was groundbreaking. It offered one of the first insider accounts of the Lincoln White House and gave voice to a formerly enslaved woman’s perspective. Though controversial at the time, her writing preserved history through lived experience.

Elizabeth Keckley’s life is a story of resilience transformed into service. She rose from enslavement to entrepreneurship, from oppression to influence — and she used every opportunity not only to advance herself, but to uplift others.

Her legacy reminds us that strength is often quiet, that service is powerful, and that even those kept behind the scenes can shape history.

"If you see someone being mistreated, stand up for them. We're all God's children, and we all deserve love and kindness." – Dolly Parton

Jessica

Dr. Temple Grandin

The woman in history I choose to spotlight is Dr. Temple Grandin. She is a renowned American inventor, author, and autism advocate. As one of the first adults to publicly disclose their autism diagnosis, Dr. Grandin served as the forerunner for many autistic folks as they navigate professional and educational settings. Dr. Grandin's life and work show us that we can meet and accommodate for our sensory needs, and still have vibrant and full lives. She is quoted as saying "I am different, not less", and "the world needs all types of minds", affirming both the uniqueness of neurodivergent brains, and the dignity and validity of all brains. As someone that loves and works with many autistic folks, I am grateful to her for the path she paved in neurodivergent affirming attitudes. I hope that we all can look at our own needs and differences with similar compassion and acceptance!

Kacey

Ella Jenkins

Ms. Ella Jenkins, born August 6, 1924, was described as the “First Lady of Children’s

Music”. Her career was defined by her kind approach and respectful nature in working with children. Primarily self-taught, Ms. Jenkins played many instruments, including the ukulele, harmonica, and various percussion instruments. She drew inspiration from the rhythms and sounds of her home neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Her unique style was built on folk traditions of call-and-response and engaging group singing, which were unprecedented in the world of children’s music. Her work inspired many children’s entertainment staples such as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Sesame Street. Her 1995 album Multicultural Songs for Children remains one of Smithsonian Folkways most popular recordings. Her songs remain staples in classrooms and among educators, promoting diversity and cultural connection. Ms. Jenkins’ warmth and care continue to inspire connection and learning for children through the language of music.

“Children don’t think too much about race, weight, or years. If you’re kind to them and

you know some songs and respect them as people, that’s all they care about.” - Ella

Jenkins

Keith

Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke is the founder of the Me Too movement, originally created in 2006 as a grassroots initiative to support survivors of sexual violence—particularly young women of color from under-resourced communities. Long before the hashtag went viral in 2017, Burke’s work centered on survivor empowerment, healing, and community accountability. Her approach reframed sexual violence not only as an individual trauma but as a systemic issue rooted in power, inequality, and silence.

In the larger social context, Burke’s leadership shifted public discourse from isolated incidents to collective acknowledgment. The movement increased visibility around the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, normalized survivor disclosure, and pressured institutions to reevaluate policies and accountability structures. Importantly, Burke has consistently emphasized healing over spectacle, reminding the public that justice must include emotional and psychological restoration not merely public consequences.

As a mental health professional, this impact has been significant for me. The widespread disclosure that followed the movement’s resurgence brought increased demand for trauma-informed care. I began my career working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, so I understand why widespread awareness of this approach is not just important to survivors, but to our society as a whole.

Clinicians were called to deepen competency in areas such as sexual trauma, dissociation, shame, resilience, and culturally responsive therapy. Burke’s framework aligns closely with trauma-informed principles: safety, empowerment, voice, and peer support. Additionally, her focus on marginalized communities challenges practitioners to examine systemic inequities that shape trauma exposure and access to care. In many ways, the Me Too movement accelerated the profession’s broader commitment to validating lived experience, reducing stigma, and integrating social justice into clinical practice.

Reshma Saujani

Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization established in 2012 to close the gender gap in technology. After running for Congress and observing how few women were entering tech fields, Saujani launched an initiative to equip girls with coding skills and, more importantly, to reshape the cultural narratives that discourage them from risk-taking. Her widely recognized message—“teach girls bravery, not perfection”—addresses the psychological conditioning that often limits women’s confidence and career trajectories.

In the broader social context, Saujani’s work intersects with issues of economic equity, representation, and workforce development in an increasingly digital world. By targeting early adolescence—a critical developmental period for identity formation and self- efficacy—Girls Who Code challenges internalized gender norms that contribute to self- doubt and avoidance of high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Her advocacy extends beyond education to paid family leave and structural reforms that affect women’s long-term professional sustainability.

As a mental health professional working with young children, Saujani’s contributions resonate in areas of self-esteem development, perfectionism, anxiety, and impostor syndrome. These concerns are still relevant for little girls and are often the focus of treatment. Research consistently shows that girls are often socialized toward achievement without risk tolerance, which can contribute to chronic stress and fear of failure in adulthood. Saujani’s framework supports preventive mental health approaches by promoting resilience, growth mindset, and adaptive coping through exposure to challenge. Clinicians working with adolescents and young adults can draw from her work to address maladaptive perfectionism and gendered expectations that impact career identity and overal psychological well-being. Her leadership highlights how cultural narratives shape mental health long before individuals enter the therapy room.

Devyn

Marie Curie

The woman in history I want to celebrate is Marie Curie. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and is still the only person to win a Nobel in two different scientific fields. Her discoveries of radium and polonium opened the door to life-saving cancer treatments and advanced the understanding of atomic science. Marie Curie broke barriers for women around the world when higher education and research fields were still heavily dominated by men. Her legacy continues to empower women to chase their passions and reminds us that persistence and dedication to our values can better our society as a whole. 

As you explore the women who have inspired our clinicians, we invite you to reflect on the figures who have shaped your own journey. Whether they are global icons, community leaders, mentors, family members, or friends, the impact of women’s courage and compassion is woven into our everyday lives.

Women’s History Month is more than a celebration of the past — it is a reminder that the story is still being written. Every act of leadership, every moment of advocacy, and every effort to lift others up contributes to the legacy of women who are shaping the world today.

By recognizing and sharing these stories, we honor those who came before us while empowering the next generation to lead, innovate, and inspire.

-Dr. Sarah and the Mighty Oaks team