Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a month where we celebrate women’s contributions to society and the world beyond.  Women have acted in war and peace, in the home and outside, making contributions to science, literature, and the Revolutionary war, to name a few arenas.  Amongst names like “Rosa Parks” and “Sally Ride” stand our own sisters, mothers, and other female role models.  Women’s History Month has the predecessors of International Women’s Day, established in 1911, and National Women’s History Week, which was established in 1981.  Years after groups had voiced the opinion that March should be designated Women’s History Month, congress passed resolutions and in 1995 President Bill Clinton issued the first proclamation to make it so.  This year is particularly special: March 3 is the 100th year anniversary of the suffragists marching in Washington, D.C. to call for women’s right to vote.  Here is how Philadelphia is celebrating Women’s History Month:

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER:

There are various Women’s History Month programs that are free with admission March 1-March 22, including their new pop-song-based program Decoding the Lyrics: “Bad Romance: Women’s Suffrage,” as well as artifacts such as former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s robe.  Certain programs and artifacts are available until the 31^st.

http://constitutioncenter.org/learn/civic-calendar/womens-history-month

PHILADELPHIA COALITION OF LABOR UNION WOMEN (CLUW) SHELTER BENEFIT:

The Philadelphia chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women is holding their 15^th annual benefit for women against abuse on March 28th in honor of Women’s History Month.  The benefit will aid a shelter for women and children who are in dire need of help.  Financial donations are needed, as are new clothing and personal care items, bedding, small appliances, and small office/stationary items.  In honor of Women’s History Month the Coalition will also premiere a new short film produced by members of CLUW’s Young Women’s Committee (YWC) titled “Our Movements, Our History, Our Voicesation: Perspectives and Personal Histories of Union Women in Philadelphia.”  The benefit will be held at Workers United in Philadelphia.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philly-CLUW/117615088310638

Email: cluw.philly@gmail.com

 

EBENEEZER MAXWELL MANSION:

The mansion will be kicking off their new Upstairs Downstairs Celebration on March 16 with an actress playing Susan B. Anthony recreating Anthony’s historic reading of The Declaration of Women’s Rights.  Victorian fiction author Cordelia Frances Biddle will speak about Victorian women in Philadelphia.

http://www.ebenezermaxwellmansion.org/events.html

LAUREL HILL CEMETARY:

On March 24^st the cemetary is holding its “Classy Broads and Daring Dames” tour around the cemetery while taking note of its exemplary permanent female residents and their accomplishments.  There will also be a reception where one can toast the ladies.

www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org