National Women’s History Month

If we don’t promote women’s history, who will?

It is noted that very little is being taught about the contributions of women in the classroom. To encourage teachers to include women in their classroom discussion of history, geography, science, math and all other subjects, it is recommended that a special time on the school calendar be set to focus on women’s lives and contributions. In 1987 the entire month of March was designated as National Women’s History Month, but the need to include women’s life and role in America’s school curriculum continues.

Following are a few suggested learning activities for writing women back into history:

• Have students research and report on Sojourner Truth, Nellie Bly, Madam C.J. Walker, Sybil Ludington, Maria Martinez, Bessie Coleman, Margaret Bourke-White, Gertrude Ederle, Chien-Shiung Yu, Yoshiko Uchida, and Sally Ride.
• Have students identify women in the local community (using newspapers and community magazines) who have made remarkable achievements. Invite them to speak to your class.
• Teach students about the amazing women who have been honored on a U.S. postage stamp (using the DVD “Women on Stamps” produced by the U.S. Postal Service).

For a full array of other resources, visit the Teaching Resources section of the National Women’s History Project web site at www.nwhp.org.

April is National Poetry Month. Have students find out who these women are: Emily Dickinson, Lucille Clifton, Maya Angelou, Adrienne Ritch, Anne Sexton, and Alice Walker.

Have students write their own poem in honor of a special woman in their lives. Use these prompts to get them started: “She inspires me by…”, “I believe in her because…”, “I am Ms. ___ because…”

These suggestions are based on information provided by the National Women’s History Project. More information and additional resources are available through the project at http://www.nwhp.org (707) 636-2888, nwhp@nwhp.org

If you have further questions, please contact Carolyn Logan, Staff Liaison, at 800/292-1934, ext. 6212 or via email clogan@mea.org.

Updated: April 19, 2010 12:26 PM