TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The month of March brings with it the beginning of spring, a period of new growth and new beginnings. 

March also heralds the arrival of Woman's History Month. It's a time for us to reflect on the many and varied contributions of women throughout history. This year's theme is Women's Art: Women's Vision. Women are represented in all forms of art, from paintings to the theater. We can begin with the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 1500's of Mona Lisa's smile to the unforgettable smile of Marilyn Monroe in her films from the 1960's. Throughout history women have been the inspiration or muses in all forms of art or they have been the artists themselves. 

Women have also contributed to the arts as writers, poets, dancers, actors and designers. One of the most famous poets and writer of our time is Maya Angelou who was nominated for the National Book Award for her novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

Women are the sources of life. We are the birth givers, nurturers, mentors and molders of the present, past and the future. Since the beginning of humanity, women have been worshipped, adored, cherished and admired. Women are wives, mothers, healers, writers, artists, inventors, queens, princesses, presidents, administrators, laborers, aviators, astronauts, navigators and soldiers. They serve many and give to all walks of life. 

This month there will be many activities and articles designed to educate us all on the importance of women throughout history, not just in the arena of the arts. Women are so much to so many that they have been depicted on cave walls, pyramids and in oil portraits. They are a favorite subject of artists in all genres since they represent beauty and bounty, mayhem and madness, courage and constancy, wisdom and style. Join the Travis Woman's History Month Committee in our celebration of women's contributions to the past, present and most certainly to the future.