Medieval French poet Christine de Pizan is probably the first woman to make a living as a professional writer, ranging from love ballads to philosophical advice books for the court. Late in Christine's life, she wrote a poem celebrating Joan of Arc at the moment of Joan's triumph at Orléans, and, for this reason, the Christine de Pizan character is portrayed twice in our parade -- in the Voices and Restoration battalions. The quote on the ruler "The shining ruler you see me carry is the straight ruler which separates right from wrong" is a quote from the character Lady Rectitude, from Christine's most famous book, "City of Ladies," noteworthy for its early celebration of female leaders.