Women's History Month, observed in the U.S. each March, honors women's contributions to history, culture, and contemporary society.
A good place to start: Smithsonian Magazine's Woman Who Shaped History edition
But don't stop there: Keep exploring and expand your knowledge!
Women have made important contributions and played vital leadership roles in so many areas.
Please see the recommended links in the boxes below.
Music HerStory: Women and Music of Social Change
From the Smithsonian National Museum of American History:
"Women’s leadership in music and social change is central to the American story. From our earliest musical encounters to the formation of complex social identities, the American musical landscape would not be what it is today without the countless contributions of women changemakers, groundbreakers, and tradition-bearers.
Music HerStory explores these contributions through unique media collections from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, the Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage, and around the Smithsonian."
Visit the Online Exhibit! Listen to the Playlist!
History of Women in Information Technology
(From Purdue University)
Women Scientists on the Forefront of Climate Action
(From the United Nations)
Women in Science and Conservation
(From the National Park Service)
In honor of Women's History Month view this featured collection from the Library of Congress (LOC). According to the LOC, the collection "includes thousands of pages of Parks' personal correspondence, letters from presidents, her writings from the time of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and about 2,500 photographs, as well as her Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal."
OCC's Womencenter
Founded in 1973 by a small group of women students, faculty, and staff, the Center operated as a volunteer organization until 1974 when the counseling department included the Womencenter as an outreach program with Mary White as its director. The Womencenter initially focused on improving campus services for women, providing assistance for new or returning women students, and bringing special outside resources to the campus. As it grew, they developed a referral service, sponsored workshops and seminars, and participated in local, state, and national conferences on women and women’s issues. In 1976, with the addition of Peer Counseling, a part-time staff position was created to coordinate that program. In 1980 the Womencenter moved to its final location at the Orchard Ridge Campus.
Although the Womencenter was located on the Orchard Ridge Campus, it served all OCC campus locations and the surrounding community. The Womencenter and its coordinator Arlene Frank sponsored many popular workshops and events including: the Girls Matter Conference, the Women’s Art Show, Women at Work: Magic Summer Camp, and the Women’s Conference: “A Call to Wholeness”. The Womencenter closed on May 22, 2015.
Visit the OCC Archives Collection Spotlight: A Legacy of Empowering Women at OCC
