Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made to our country and recognizes the specific achievements they have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. In Women’s History Month 2021, the United States has its first woman vice-president, the most diverse presidential cabinet (with the first Indigenous cabinet member, a Dakota woman), and the first transgender person to a Senate-confirmed post. While 2020 was a tough year of layoffs that disproportionately impacted women, it also saw the number of female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies reach a record of 37.
History shows this landmark 2021 year for women is not a one time event. The women’s rights movement began to take shape in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York during the first Woman's Rights Convention. At this convention Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony would form a 50 year friendship. And the two later befriended another key figure of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Isabella Baumfree, renamed Sojourner Truth, became a prominent figure in the Civil War along with Harriet Tubman. Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” speech expressed the deep desire and messaging that women, Black or White, should be treated equal to men.
While the 15th amendment “prohibited states from denying a male citizen the right to vote based on “race, color or previous condition of servitude,” it was not until 1920 that women gained the right to vote with the 19th amendment.
March is a celebration of these early and continuing battles, triumphs and contributions, including the celebration of local Women Leaders. We have therefore provided some articles, resources, and much more to learn about local and national female leaders who have and continue to shape our world. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, we hope you’ll find some new inspiration, mostly from our own backyard. And if your shero is missing, local or national, add her into this Google form and we’ll highlight these worthy ladies next month!
Making Women’s History in Colorado, Past & Present
Notable Colorado Leading Ladies, Present & Past
Charlotte Perry and Portia Mansfield: In 1913, these two ladies went out to Steamboat Springs, CO and founded Perry-Mansfield, the oldest continuously operating performing arts camp in the country. Sarianna Murphy, English Teacher at Byers, danced and trained here for 9 years! They’ve also hosted and welcomed incredible artists like Agnes deMille, Meryl Streep, and Dustin Hoffman, Robert Battle (Creative Director for Alvin Ailey), Broadway leaders like Steven Schwartz, and many other outstanding artists and community leaders. Their mission was to create a camp that builds “Creative practice through art and nature.” It continues to be one the most beautiful and constructive places for creation in the country.
Notable Women in Military History
Important Women in Sports History
Forgotten Women’s History
Have additional resources to share? Send them to mac@scienceandtech.org