AUGUSTA – In honor of Maine Women’s History Month and in celebration of the contributions women make in Maine and have made throughout history, a reception was held in the office of Senate President Beverly C. Daggett (D- Augusta).

Daggett, however, was unable to participate in the afternoon celebration.

In her absence, Sen. Neria Douglass (D-Auburn) welcomed legislators, guests and Maine’s first lady Karen Baldacci.

Douglass presented Diane Markowski of Cumberland a legislative sentiment on behalf of the legislature.

Markowski is the daughter of Ruth Foster. Foster was the first female page in the State Legislature in 1943 as well as the first female page in the United States. Markowski shared various documents and photographs of Foster’s State House tenure during the 1950s.

“Women have played important roles in establishing our democracy and culture. We can learn much by paying attention to the struggles they undertook and the barriers they overcame,” said Douglass.

“Spending an entire month recognizing these important women is a first step in what will undoubtedly become an annual event,” she added.

Daggett, Maine’s first woman Senate president, was instrumental in the initiative to recognize March as Women’s History Month.

Daggett’s reception was the culmination of a series of events held during March.