HARRISBURG, PA (WHTM) \u2014 History books are full of stories about the men who lead our country, but ahead of the nations 250th anniversary \u2014 and during Women\u2019s History Month \u2014 there\u2019s an effort to recognize the women.<\/p>\n
Some of these women include Pennsylvania\u2019s former first ladies, Michele Ridge and Frances Wolf, who joined the Commonwealth\u2019s current first lady Lori Shapiro, and former first lady of the United States Jill Biden, for a special luncheon and panel in Harrisburg Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n Several topics were discussed \u2014 including the importance of leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cI have seen so much more engagement by women in leadership and and on the flip side of that, I have to tell you that it\u2019s also important for men to see women in leadership,\u201d said Ridge.<\/p>\n They also spoke on the significance of holding civic values.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a Senate spouse I had worked on breast cancer. I had the Biden Breast Health Initiative and then I became second lady,\u201d Biden shared. \u201cAnd of course, I worked with Michelle Obama on joining forces and our military initiative and our son was in the military. So, of course, that very easily owned a piece of my heart. And i\u2019m an educator. I\u2019ve been teaching for 40 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Shapiro spoke on why women and girls need opportunities to succeed.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like having meals and being prepared to learn because you\u2019re not hungry,\u201d she said. \u201cAll of those things set the stage for opportunity and success later on.\u201d<\/p>\n And they also touched on the need to provide service.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all realize the magnitude of this position of public service and the responsibility to do it well,\u201d Wolf added.<\/p>\n There was also a special appearance from a woman who has lived by these characteristics for the last 100 years.<\/p>\n Mae Krier, of Bucks County, worked in a factory duing WWII as a Rosie the Riveter.<\/p>\n