Women’s History Month
Since 1987, the U.S. has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. This year, the theme for the month, as announced by the National Women’s History Alliance, is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Share the wonder of women with these powerful facts and stories.
Find recommendations for kids’ books on Women’s History Month here.
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou
Table of Contents
The Trailblazers:
- Kathryn Bigelow: First woman to win an Oscar for Best Director in 2010.
- Shirley Chisholm: First African American congresswoman in 1968.
- Sandra Day O’Connor: First woman on the Supreme Court in 1981.
- Aretha Franklin: First woman elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Sally Ride: First American woman in space in 1983.
- Edith Wharton: First woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1921.
National Women’s History Month traces its roots to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions.
Women From Georgia Who Made A Difference:
- Susie Baker King Taylor: Born into slavery in Midway, she escaped and ended up becoming the first federally funded teacher in the state of Georgia and one of the first African American nurses in the U.S. to administer battlefield care to soldiers.
- Lucy Craft Laney: The founder and principal of the Haines Institute in Augusta, Laney dedicated her life to educating African Americans. She was born in Macon.
- Helen Douglas Mankin: A lawyer, legislator and politician born in Atlanta, she was the first woman elected to Congress from Georgia.
- Juliette Gordon Low: Born in Savannah, she was the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA.
- Alice Harrell Strickland: The first female mayor in Georgia was born in Duluth.
- Jessye Norman: The American opera singer was born in Augusta.
- Hazel Raines: Born in Waynesboro, she was one of 25 American women pilots recruited to serve as a ferry pilot when the U.S. entered WWII, and she became a recruiter for the Women’s Army Corps and the Women’s Air Force.
- Carrie Steele Logan: One of the first Black landowners in Atlanta, she founded an orphanage for Black children.
- Grace Towns Hamilton: From Atlanta, she was the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly.
- Wyomia Tyus: This American sprinter held the world record for the 100-metre race from 1964-65 and 1968-72 and was the first person to win the Olympic gold medal twice. She was born in Griffin.
- Alice Walker: From Eatonton, she wrote more than 30 works of poetry, novels, short story collections and nonfiction.
Sources: census.gov; nationaltoday.com; womenshistory.org; deloitte.com; history.com; georgiawomen.org; biography.com
Women and girls outpace men and boys in the global book reading divide. 44% of girls at age 15 said reading was one of their favorite hobbies, while only 24% of boys said the same.
Events:
Women’s History Month at Brook Run Park
Sunday FUNday: Flowing Forces at Carlos Museum
In honor of Women’s Day, explore the relationship between women and water in parts of Africa in the exhibit “Flowing Forces,” before creating a clay pinch pot. March 3.
Tea and Stories at the Wren’s Nest
This afternoon event features local women storytellers, a Women of the Wren’s Nest Tour, and a celebration of women who have often been overlooked in history. March 17.
Sistas of Soul at Aurora Theatre
From Live In Concert Productions, look back at the greatness of the women who shaped the music industry and recorded some of the most memorable music of all time. March 29.
