In celebration of Women’s History Month, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) released the second volume of “Women’s History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties,” a booklet she created in collaboration with the Mid-Hudson Library System. The 2015 volume contains stories of 10 remarkable women with ties to the Hudson Valley.

“For too many years, the important roles women played throughout American history were not what later generations chose to remember,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “Women’s stories remained buried in attics, inked in diaries and letters, and pressed in dusty period publications.”

The highlighted women are writers, editors, activists, scientists and public servants. Included in this year’s booklet is Sybil Ludington, who, at the age of 16, rode her horse more than 40 miles – farther than Paul Revere – through the night to alert the Revolutionary War regiments to the approaching British troops. Franny Reese, another woman profiled, in the 1960s led the charge to protect our magnificent Hudson River Valley from Con Ed’s plans to build the world’s largest power plant on the face of iconic Storm King Mountain, at the same time helping launch the modern environmental movement. You can learn more about these extraordinary women and others in this year’s edition.

“I am committed to ensuring that the lives and deeds of the bold, smart, visionary women who came before us are remembered here today and passed on to fuel the dreams of future generations,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “Women’s History Month provides the perfect opportunity.”

Visit your local library to pick up a 2015 copy of “Women’s History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties,” and to learn about local events celebrating the women of the Hudson Valley and Women’s History Month.