Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month

LinneaLeave a comment

In March, we acknowledge the incredible women that have paved the way for us—in science, sports, technology, literature, music… the list goes on and on. Without women, we would not have the dishwasher, the life raft, the circular saw, the car heater, or chocolate chip cookies! Women discovered the elements radon and francium and assisted on the development for more accessible treatments for cancer, chickenpox, and HIV/AIDS. Women are incredible musicians, athletes, and movie stars. Women have been doing it all since the beginning of time and they deserve their flowers! 

A very easy way to celebrate Women’s History Month is to read a book written by a woman. There’s plenty to choose from but if you’re having trouble deciding, try one of the books below to delve deeper into some of the scientists, activists, entertainers, and authors that have provided us with so much. 

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky 

Ida B. The Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells by Michelle Duster 

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison  

“In my work, no matter where it’s set,” Toni Morrison once told an Ohio audience, “the imaginative process always starts right here on the lip of Lake Erie.” (New Ohio Review) 

Jazz by Toni Morrison 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay 

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay 

I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai 

No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg 

-Linnea

Ten Graphic Novels for Women’s History Month

NicoleLeave a comment

March is Women’s History Month! Did you know that Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981? Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. You can read more about Women’s History Month here.

To celebrate, I’m sharing some great graphic novels that highlight women authors, illustrators, women’s stories, and more! Take a look below to see my ten picks for graphic novels you should read this month to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Click here jump to our online catalog! All titles are available in our print collection or digitally in Hoopla.

Happy reading!

Women’s History Month

carolLeave a comment

March is Women’s History Month!

2010 marks the the 30th anniversary of the National Women’s History Project. This year’s theme is “Writing Women Back Into History.” Here are a few cool facts about women in United States History:

  •  The first women’s rights convention met in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848.
  •  Wyoming Territory was first to grant women the vote in 1869.
  •  Edith Wharton was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1921 for her novel The Age of Innocence.
  •  Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane in 1928.
  •  Madeleine Albright became the first female Secretary of State in 1997.  In 2004, Condoleezza Rice became the second woman (& first African-American woman!) to hold that position. Five years later, in 2009, the former Senator (and First Lady) Hillary Rodham Clinton became the third female Secretary of State.

That’s just a taste of what women have done (so far) in this country. For more information on women’s history month, check out these resources:

 http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history-month

http://www.nwhp.org/whm/index.php

 http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/studentnews/02/28/women.history.discussion.activity/index.html

 http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/whm/index.html

 http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=25053835@N03&q=womensday&m=text

 Of course, women are vital to society every day of every year, but it sure is nice to have a month set aside to do some in-depth research on your favorite woman artist, writer, politician, musician, engineer, scientist…well, you get the picture. So, c’mon, celebrate this March by learning a little something about the history of women.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ~Carol