March is National Women’s History Month

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month. The theme for the 2012 celebration is “Women’s Education –Women’s Empowerment.” Schools, libraries and other community groups are encouraged to sponsor programs that promote the contributions of women in our society. Consider these programming options:

Post a link on the school and library’s website to the following National Women’s History Month website: (National Women’s History Project)
Display a copy of President Carter’s Presidential Proclamation that declared the first National Women’s Week (This can be downloaded from the above website).
The 2012 National Women’s History Month Honorees are: Emma Hart Willard, Charlotte Forten Grimke, Annie Sullivan, Gracia Molina de Pick, Okolo Rashid, Brenda Flyswithhawks

Engage patrons in a discussion about the contribution of these women to women’s education. Sponsor a panel of local women who represent the spirit of the 2012 Honorees.

Ask readers to use the Q&A section of the National Women’s History Month website to develop trivia questions that could be posted daily on the school or library’s website. Have them suggest books in the library that people might use in answering the questions.
Lead readers to the virtual National Women’s History Museum: (National Women’s History Museum). Ask them to read about Meryl Streep’s efforts to erect a National Women’s History Museum on the mall in Washington. Then have them study the various categories of Women’s History that are featured on the website. Instruct them to research at least one woman that fits each category.
Introduce books that celebrate the 2012 National Women’s History theme. Selections from Random House include:

Counting on Grace (ages 9-12) by Elizabeth Winthrop
How Tia Lola Saved the Summer (ages 8-12) by Julia Alvarez
Sylvia and Aki (ages 9-12) by Winifred Conkling
Ashes of Roses (ages 12-up) by Mary Jane Auch
The Mighty Miss Malone (ages 12-up) by Christopher Paul Curtis
Sarny (ages 12-up) by Gary Paulsen

Introduce the following books to readers:

The Daring Nellie Bly (ages 6-up)
Sky High (ages 6-8) by Marissa Moss & illus. by Carl Angel
Amelia Earhart (ages 6-9) by John Parlin
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart (ages 8-12) Candace Fleming
Escape North: The Story of Harriet Tubman (ages 7-10) by Monica Kulling & illus. by Teresa Flavin
Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson (ages 5-8) by Sue Stauffacher & illus. by Greg Couch
Only Passing Through (ages 7-10) by Anne Rockwell & illus. by R. Gregory Christie
The Story of Sacajawea (ages 7-11) by Della Rowland
They Called Her Molly Pitcher (ages 4-8) by Anne Rockwell & illus. by Cynthia von Buhler
The Bravest Woman in America (ages 5-8) by Marissa Moss & illus. by Andrea U’Ren
Harlem’s Little Blackbird (ages 4-8) by Renee Watson & illus. by Christian Robinson

Ask them to write a one-page justification for including these women in the National Women’s History Museum.

Promote the idea of “empowerment” by introducing books with strong female characters. Titles from Random House include:

Signed, Abiah Rose (ages 5-8) by Diane Browning
Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different (ages 8-12) by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb
Born to Fly (ages 9-12) by Michael Ferrari
Hattie Big Sky (ages 12-up) by Kirby Larson