by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Each March the nation celebrates Women’s History Month and each year it’s good to take stock.

As of October 2007, there were 154 million females in the US. That exceeds the number of males by 4 million.

The median annual earnings for women 16 and over who work year round, full time, was $32,649 in 2006. For every dollar a man makes, a woman earns 77 cents--even though we’re better educated!

More women than men attend and graduate from college.

In the 2004 presidential election, 65% of females voted-- higher than the 62% of males who cast a ballot. Yet it’s taken centuries for a woman to run for president.

This year the theme of Women’s History Month is Women’s Art Women’s Vision, highlighting women artists.

One of those being honored is Philadelphia artist Cecilia Beaux, the first female faculty member at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, appointed in 1895. The current exhibit of her work at the Academy is worth a visit.