By MC1 Lewis Hunsaker

Monterey County District Attorney Mary Tatum, addresses NPS students, faculty and staff during a Women's History Month celebration in the Dudley Knox Library, March 10. The theme for this years Women's History Month is, "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government."

"It's an honor and a pleasure to be hear today as we celebrate Women's History Month," said Tatum. "When we look at 'working to form a more perfect union,' we have to look at the many accomplishments of women."

Tatum has repeatedly fought to protect the rights of women, and others, as a 28-year veteran attorney. She was recognized as Ventura County's Prosecutor of the Year and has served as Monterey County Deputy District Attorney since 1998.

During her address, Tatum shared intimate details from a former case that exemplified her work for victims, especially the victims of sexual violence.

"It was a sexual assault case with a female victim and a male defendant, which required the defendant to be registered as a lifetime sex offender if convicted," said Tatum.

Tatum noted the difficulty of the case. There was no physical evidence and both the victim, her husband and the defendant had felony convictions. The victim had also been raped at the ago of 14 and her parents had chosen not to report the crime because they did not trust the judicial system.

"[But] the victim wanted access to the justice system. She had turned her life around and had been accepted into college," said Tatum.

The case was eventually won, lending credibility to the process and ultimately empowering a woman whose family had given up on the system. And while this unfortunate case does not change the plight of women everywhere, in Tatum's eyes, it is once more step toward a "more perfect union."

Women's History Month started as Women's History Week in 1978. In 1987, Congress was petitioned to expand the week to an entire month to recognize the many contributions women have made to the Nation.