People say that the month of March "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." And if that's the case, it must be no coincidence that March has also been declared as Women's History Month.

As much as some say that the world is run by men, there's evidence throughout history that it is the courage and conviction of women who have made some of the greatest impacts on our society.

As the great poet, best-selling author and civil-rights activist Maya Angelou once said, "How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"

Women like Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony helped lead the fight for equality, both for blacks and women alike, through the establishment of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

The courageous and once-enslaved Harriet Tubman risked her life to help grant freedom to other slaves through the Underground Railroad. Had it not been for Clara Barton, founder of the premier disaster relief organization in the world, the American Red Cross might not exist.

In recent years, America has seen women rise to the political front with the appointment of the first black woman, Condoleezza Rice, as secretary of State, Nancy Pelosi's appointment as first woman speaker of the House and Hillary Clinton's reign in the U.S. Senate and now, her run at becoming the next Democratic candidate for presidency.

With the rich history that women possess all over the country, it can be a little much to take in all at once. However, this weekend the Valentine Richmond History Center is giving Richmonders the chance to dig a little deeper into the history of our city's very own lady leaders.

On Saturday, March 8, the "Richmond's Steel Magnolia's: Women Who Mattered" bus tour will take guests on a journey into the history of some of the most important and influential women in Richmond's history.

"I do tours for many different places, and I realized very quickly that people began asking me, after I had shown them all these portraits and sculptures of men, who were some of the women involved in the development of our city," said Betty Allen, the Richmond's "Steel Magnolia's" tour guide.

"So I began doing some research, reading some books and that's how it began. And of course, I named the tour after, 'Steel Magnolia's,' which is such an impressive movie." 

This year's tour will focus on the accomplishments of Capt. Sally Tompkins, Phoebe Yates Pember, Lila Meade Valentine, Mary Elizabeth Bowser and Maggie L. Walker, just to name a few. Each woman's contributions to the city are as significant yet varied as the women themselves.

Tompkins, also known as the Angel of the Confederacy, is remembered as a pioneer for the Civil War in Richmond with the opening of a private hospital for wounded soldiers. The Robertson Hospital as it was called remained in service for four years, and Tompkins is the only woman to be given a commission.

Acting as another hospital matron, Pember dedicated herself to the care and treatment of soldiers at the Chimborazo Hospital. After her time at Chimborazo, Pember completed a memoir called, "A Southern Woman's Story," about the hardships she faced in Confederate Richmond and her memories of Chimborazo.

Valentine, a Richmond native, is one of the lesser known leaders for women's suffrage. Besides acting as founder and president of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia (now known as the Virginia League of Women Voters), Valentine stood for better public health and education standards.

Bowser a servant to the prominent Van Lew family of Richmond during her time, helping aid the, Elizabeth Van Lew who will also be featured during the tour, as a spy for the Union.

The tour also includes a stop at Maggie Walker's House, where guests will learn of the accomplishments of this community and civic leader, as well as a trip to Hollywood Cemetery, Shockoe Bottom and Church Hill area.

While the primary focus is Women's History Month, it truly is a tour of the city itself.

"Whenever I do these tours or whenever I do lessons, especially with young women, I tell them, the world is their oyster and they have so many things they can accomplish," said Allen. "But before now, it doesn't look like we have appreciated too many of them and that's what I'm hoping to do."

w The "Richmond's Steel Magnolia's: Women Who Mattered" bus tour will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8. Meet your tour guide, Betty Allen, at the Valentine Richmond History Center. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for History Center members and children ages 6-18. Children under 6 are free. Tickets also include admission to the History Center on the day of the tour.