WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

The theme for Women's History Month 2011 selected by the National Women's History Project (NWHP) is Our History is Our Strength. Our shared history unites families, communities, and nations. Although women's history is intertwined with the history shared with men, several factors - social, religious, economic, and biological - have worked to create a unique sphere of women's history. The stories of women's achievements are integral to the fabric of our history. Learning about women's tenacity, courage, and creativity throughout the centuries is a tremendous source of strength. While women's history is a relatively new field of study, one important scholar is Gerda Lerner. She is credited with teaching the first women's history course, establishing the first graduate program in women's history, and publishing numerous books and treatises on women's history. To read more about Gerda Lerner or the NWHP visit www.nwhp.org/whm/.

Since 1993, the Lansdale AAUW branch has assisted local schools in celebrating National Women's History Month by donating materials to be displayed and utilized during March to raise student's awareness of women's contributions to history and their communities. Materials provided to date have totaled over $5,600. For 2011, the Lansdale AAUW is donating the following books to the North Penn District schools:

  • A.M. Kulp, Bridle Path, General Nash, Gwyn Nor, Gwynedd Square, Hatfield, Inglewood, Knapp, Montgomery, North Wales, Oak Park, Walton Farm and York Avenue Elementary Schools - Fearless Female Journalists by Joy Crysdale - This story is a fascinating account of the lives of 10 amazing women who made a great difference in our world through their fearless pursuit of the truth, no matter what the cost. Whether it be fighting slavery, exposing injustices in foreign countries, or fighting for the equality for women, each of the 10 female journalists depicted in this book have done extraordinary things while facing overwhelming challenges - often risking their own safety in the process.
  • Pennbrook, Penndale and Pennfield Middle Schools - Belva Lockwood: Equal Rights Pioneer by Jill Norgren - Norgren begins with her subject's early years and how her family scoffed at her plans to go to college. As a young widowed mother she decided to take destiny into her own hands and get an education. With determination Lockwood became not only one of the first women lawyers of her time, but also the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court. Committed to equal rights, she was also the first woman to launch a full campaign as a candidate for president in 1884.
  • North Penn High School - I Am an Emotional Creature by Eve Ensler - This book is a collection of diverse monologues, told by young girls all around the world. These fictional stories based on real experiences confront the complex issue of defining oneself in a world full of contradictions, where girls are told they must be polite and pretty and perfect to fit in, yet are encouraged to be strong and independent and to dream big at the same time. Every girl's story is unique and equally jarring, from the simple confrontation of peer pressure in the average high school to tales of girls sold for sex miles and oceans away.

Celebrate Women Throughout the Year!

International Women’s Day - March 8th

The United Nation's theme for International Women's Day 2011 is: Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women. This theme aligns with that of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 55 Priority theme - Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work. The CSW is a functional commission of the United National Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. It is the principal global policy-making body. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide.

In 2011, AAUW participated in the CSW 55 in the following ways: Jill Birdwhistell, Chief of Strategic Advancement AAUW participated in the Expert Group Meeting on Gender, Science and Technology in September-October 2010; AAUW presenters participated in four sessions of the Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) CSW New York Parallel Events speaking about the AAUW Research Report Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. For more information on the CSW and the NGO CSW NY visit their websites www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/ and Non-Governmental Organizations CSW NY www.ngocsw.org

International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women's full and equal participation.

Over the years, the UN and its technical agencies have promoted the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect for human rights. The empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of the UN's efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across the globe. For additional information go to www.InternationalWomensDay.com.

List of donation selections from this and previous years and other strong female books:
Purchases from Amazon via these links benefit AAUW.

Title Author Description Buy from Amazon
Fearless Female Journalists Joy Crysdale Ages 9-12
Belva Lockwood: Equal Rights Pioneer Jill Norgren Ages 9-12
I Am an Emotional Creature Eve Ensler
Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan Jeanette Winter Ages 9-12
Profiles in Mathematics: Sophie Germain Stephen Ornes Ages 9-12
Women Making America Heidi Hemming and Julie Savage
I'll Pass For Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War Anita Silvey This compelling book spotlights Union and Confederate women who fought on the battlefields.
Her Story: A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America Charlotte S. Waisman and Jill S. Tietjen A vivid documentation of the breadth and diversity of American women's achievements throughout U.S. history.
Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq Kirsten Holmstedt Band of Sisters presents a dozen groundbreaking and often heart-wrenching stories of American women in combat in Iraq
What to Do About Alice?: How Alice Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove her Father Teddy Crazy! Barbara Kerley A beautifully illustrated book about Theodore Roosevelt’s irrepressible oldest child. It outlines Alice Roosevelt’s childhood and her outrageous hijinks as a tomboy, as well as the loving relationship she enjoyed with her renowned father. Prose and pictures spring across the pages to celebrate a maverick American heroine.
Ladies First: 40 Daring American Women Who Were Second to None Elizabeth Cody Kimmel Ladies First introduces young readers to 40 American women of achievement who were first in their field. A full-page portrait begins each informative three-page profile. The life stories of these women are as inspiring as they are diverse.
Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Ulrich focuses on three accomplished women who did not behave according to the standards of their times - Christine de Pizan, a fourteenth century author, suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and twentieth century novelist Virginia Woolf. They worked in entirely different settings; however, they disturbingly encountered the same problems facing women.
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor Emily Arnold McCully The story of the first woman to receive a U.S. patent for designing a machine to make flat-bottomed, paper bags.
Factory Girl Barbara Greenwood A recreation of the life of working children in North American cities in the early part of the twentieth century and the impact that one girl can make.
Madame Secretary: A Memoir Madeleine Albright The memoirs of Madeleine Albright, the highest ranking woman in the history of U.S. government. During the eight years of the Clinton administration, Albright served as U.N. ambassador and then as Secretary of State.
Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers Sybil E. Hatch Celebrates the contributions of women engineers to every aspect of modern life.
A is for Abigail Lynne Cheney
In Her Footsteps: 101 Remarkable Black Women from the Queen of Sheba to Queen Latifah Annette Madden
100 Women Who Shaped World History Gail Meyer Rolka
Young Women of Achievement: A Resource for Girls in Science, Math and Technology Frances A. Karnes and Kristen R. Stephens
The Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History edited by Wilma Mankiller, Gwendolyn Mink, Marysa Navarro, Barbara Smith, and Gloria Steinem
Remember the Ladies Cheryl Harness A beautiful timeline of 100 famous women who made important contributions to this country since its founding. Includes Alice Paul, Grace Hopper, Mary McLeod Bethune, and others girls may not know.Ages 6 - 14.
Madame President Catherine Thimmish An awesome new book in which a girl decides she wants to be President and is encouraged instead to be a senator, a president's wife,etc For each suggestion, it tells about women from history. Guess who doesn't give up her dream?! Ages 8 - 14.
Girl's Guide to Life Catherine Dee An indispensable manual for girls from 10 to 14.Fun,easy-to-read advice on everything from the media to sports to the beauty myth.
Best of Girls to the Rescue Bruce Lansky Fabulous collection of 26 fairy tales and folk tales from around the world where GIRLS are the heroes! Third grade reading level chapter book, good for ages 6 to 12.
I Like Me Nancy Carlson Simple, but powerful, self esteem book about a pig who likes herself and takes charge of her life. Ages 2 - 6.
Stephanie's Ponytail Robert Munsch Stephanie wears her hair the way she wants to, despite peer pressure.Very funny. Ages 4 - 8.
Cinder Edna Ellen Jackson Cinder Edna has the same things happen to her as the helpless Cinderella, but she takes charge of her life! Ages 4 - 8.