Deadline for July 4 contest is extended until June 1

Dear Annie: I just heard about your contest to write a poem for July 4 that is more balanced, and that mentions women, as well as men. Why would you print something like that in August, when school is out and kids can’t participate? It would have been an excellent project for my classroom.

Could you please rerun the original request and extend the deadline? Maybe a few of my middle school kids could write something special that merits being printed in your column. Thanks.

— Teacher in Florida

Dear Teacher: It didn’t occur to us at the time that the contest request would run during summer break. You are right that it is perfect for the classroom, as well as would-be poets, so we will extend our deadline until June 1. (That’s absolutely the latest, folks.) Here is the original letter:

Dear Annie: I appreciate the patriotic intent of your July 4 column, but what would my daughter and seven nieces make of the mention of 27 men but just two women? The author overlooked Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the myriad other female contributors to our nation’s progress.

Maybe next year you could share someone’s writing that does a better job of recognizing the meaningful roles many courageous and capable women have played and continue to play in shaping our nation. All credit to Ginger Rogers’ high heels, but Sacagawea did everything Lewis and Clark did, but she did it postpartum and carrying a newborn on her back.

If no one has written anything more balanced since Mr. Whitaker’s piece appeared in 1955, consider the gauntlet tossed.

— A Loyal Reader

Dear Loyal Reader: We agree that an updated version is long overdue. Several readers suggested a writing contest and we love this idea. So readers, put your creative caps on and send us a poem or essay that expresses the contributions men and women have made to our country’s history. This also might be a good project for teachers to give their students.

Send your efforts to Annie’s Mailbox at creators. com or Facebook.com/AskAnnies. We will print the best one on July 4, along with your name.