“Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet”

2009 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

 

National Women's History Month plays an essential role in demonstrating the importance of including the role of women in the history of this country. Celebrating women's accomplishments dates back to March 8, 1911, the first international Women's Day.

In 2009, the National Women’s History Project honors women who have taken the lead in the environmental or “green” movement. The 2009 theme celebrates and recognizes the vision of  women scientists, engineers, business leaders, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious or workplace leaders or others whose lives show exceptional vision and leadership to save our planet. Please visit www.nwhp.org

 

During March, National Capital Region sites will have activities associated with women's history. All events are free, except where noted. All events are open to the public. Dates, times and information are subject to change. Please watch for updates. An electronic version of this document may be obtained via the World Wide Web at http://www.nps.gov/ncro/ Watch for updates…..

 

EXHIBITS:

 

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EXHIBIT AT CATOCTIN

Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m., March 1-31

Catoctin Mountain Park, Visitor Center, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD

Enjoy an exhibit that tells the story of Bessie Darling and Mazie Bowman, two women who played important roles in the local tourism industry in the early 20th century. Learn how Bessie’s tragic death sparked local legend and haunted Mazie until her death. For further information call                   301-663-9388.

 

WOMEN’S HISTORY EXHIBIT AT OXON COVE PARK

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily March 1-31

Oxon Cove Park, Visitor Barn, Oxon Hill, MD

Come out to the Visitor Barn to learn about the accomplishments of women who have made a significant impact on the history of America. For further information call 301-763-1062.

 

WOMEN’S HISTORY EXHIBIT AT THE SEWALL-BELMONT HOUSE AND MUSEUM

The opening will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00 p.m-4: 00 p.m.

March 5 - May 3 

144 Constitution Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C.

This year, the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum will host the fourth season of  “Making HerStory,” an exhibit of local women artists. “Making HerStory” was created as a way to celebrate local women artists during Women's History Month.  The focus of the exhibit is to build upon the collaborative creativity of women artists in all genres and to provide a stage for the voices to be heard.  One of this year's featured artists will be Shawn Yancy, a news anchor for WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C.  The goal of the “Making HerStory” annual exhibition is to create and develop a historical fabric for women artists and create a base from which they can continue to write history for themselves. 

 

TOURS:

 

 TOURS OF CLARA BARTON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

 

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., tours on the hour, March 1-31, 2008

 

Clara Barton National Historic Site                                                                                                                                           

 

5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo, MD

 

Enjoy Women’s History every day!  This site opens daily and is shown by guided tour. Clara Barton National Historic Site commemorates the life of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. The home served as the headquarters and warehouse for the organization. From this house, Miss Barton organized American Red Cross relief efforts for victims of natural disasters and war. Tours start on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There is no admission charge. Groups of 10 or more require reservations; call 301-320-1410. Tours of Clara Barton National Historic Site and other special activities at the house may be limited or suspended due to the continuation of emergency repair/rehabilitation projects. Visitors should call the National Park Service at 301-320-1410 before visiting in order to confirm the status of the site.

 

TOURS OF MARY McLEOD BETHUNE COUNCIL HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tours on the hour, throughout the month of March

1318 Vermont Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Every day is women's history at the Council House. Mary McLeod Bethune was one of the first African American leaders to recognize the need to preserve historical records, especially those pertaining to African American women. For groups of 15 or more please call for reservations. For further information call 202-673-2402.

 

WOMEN’S HISTORY AT ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

Dawn to Dusk, throughout the month of March

Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD

The best way to view the battlefield is to take the self-guided driving tour. The tour road is 8½ miles long with 11 stops.  Be sure to visit the Clara Barton Monument, located at stop 2, the only monument in the battlefield dedicated to the memory of a woman. For further information please call 301-432-5124.

 

TOURS OF SEWALL-BELMONT HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Tours on the hour, Wednesday-Sunday 12:00 p.m. 4: 00 p.m.

Throughout the month of March

144 Constitution Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C.

Every day is women's history at Sewall-Belmont House. Alice Paul and other suffragists celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment at the Sewall-Belmont House. Come and learn about Alice Paul and the long battle for women's suffrage. For further information call 202-546-1210.

 

 

 

PROGRAMS/EVENTS:

 

INTERPRETATIVE TALK AT THE MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS

 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., throughout March

National Mall, Washington, DC

In honor of Women's History Month a National Park Service Park ranger will present interpretative talks at various monuments and memorials as rangers are available. For further information please call 202-426-6841.

 

WOMEN’S HISTORY AT THE SEWALL-BELMONT HOUSE AND MUSEUM

1:00 p.m-6: 00 p.m., Sunday, March 1 

144 Constitution Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C.

Celebrate women in history and learn more about the women's suffrage movement! Join the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C to decorate suffrage sashes, make posters to advocate for a cause in which you believe, read stories about women in history and more!  Stay after the activities from 4-6 p.m. to watch Iron Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank, which tells the story of the suffragists working to pass the nineteenth amendment. A fun way for families, groups and Scout troops to learn about women's history, the struggle for the right to vote and Washington, D.C.'s role.

 

THE PRIVILEGE OF VOTING BOOK SIGNING BY VIRGINIA HARRIS

6: 30 p.m., Tuesday, March 3 

Sewall –Belmont House and Museum, 144 Constitution Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C.

Learn the story of powerful suffragettes Emmeline Pankhurst and Alice Paul, two presidential mistresses, First Lady Edith Wilson, First Daughter Alice Roosevelt, author Edith Wharton, and dancer Isadora Duncan.  See how they set the stage for women to finally win the vote in both England and America.  Thanks to the suffragettes, women now have choices and voices!  Virginia Ann Harris is a historical researcher and writer from Philadelphia, PA. Her company, “Coffeebreak Readers,” has created a unique new format that allows readers to enjoy historical
novels in a whole new way.  “Coffeebreak Readers” novels are fast-paced, fact-based narratives of historical figures presented in an inter-connected, chronological series of short stories. Each "episode" takes about 5-10 minutes to read, making them ideal to enjoy on coffee breaks or anytime.

 

WOMEN IN THE MILITARY: WILLING, ABLE, ESSENTIAL

11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4

Women's Memorial, Gateway to Arlington National Cemetery

Women In the Military: Willing, Able, Essential, is the first documentary to recount the little known legacy of women’s contributions to America’s military. Released at this time in celebration of Women’s History Month, this hour-long documentary chronicles the extraordinary history of the some 2.5 million women, all volunteers, who have served with the armed forces, beginning with the American Revolution, and fills in a missing piece of U.S. history known but to a few. For more information call 800-222-2294, 703-533-1155 or visit the Women's Memorial website at www.womensmemorial.org. The Memorial is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

 

“A MARCH OF FIRST LADIES”

12 noon to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 14

The White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

In honor of Women’s History the White House Visitor center celebrates the contributions of America’s Presidential spouses.  Come out and learn about the humanitarianism of Eleanor Roosevelt, Lou Hoover’s role as President of the Girl Scouts, and Frances Cleveland, the only First Lady to be married in the White House, as well as other prominent First Ladies. Enjoy crafts popular in the 19th century, and join an interpretive discussion focusing on the contributions made by these women to define the critically important role of the First Lady of the United States. Reservations are NOT required. For further information call 202-208-1631.

 

 “WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD TO SAVE OUR PLANET”

1:00 p.m., March 28

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site                                                                                 

1318 Vermont Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.

The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, NHS will present a Women’s History Month Lecture. The lecture will coincide with the theme for Women’s History Month, Women Taking the Lead to save our Planet. For further information call 202-673-2402.

 

 

"NECESSITY: THE MOTHER OF INVENTION"

 

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29

 

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Lower Town District, Harpers Ferry, WV

 

In honor of Women's History Month Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will put on special programs featuring industrial and scientific advances in gardening, food preservation, and fabric manufacturing.   The industrial revolution debuted new machines, gadgets, and gizmos that helped offer Americans more time, more money and established a burgeoning middle class.  Harpers Ferry women took advantage of these inventions and employed them in their everyday lives with family, field and factory.  For further information call 304-535-6298.

 

WOMEN IN THE STARS

4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 29

Rock Creek Park, Nature Center and Planetarium                                                                                                         

5200 Glover Road, N.W., Washington, D.C.

From the Big Bear to Queen Cassiopeia, women have influenced the stories and myths of many constellations. Celebrate Women's History Month with a program on women of the stars. For further information call 202-895-6070.

 

 

Women's History Sites under the jurisdiction of the

National Park Service (This is not an all inclusive listing):

 

Clara Barton National Historic Site, Glen Echo, Maryland

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park, New York

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Richmond, Virginia

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, National Historic Site, Washington D.C.

Sewall-Belmont House National Historic Site, Washington D.C.

Women's Rights National Historic Park, Seneca Falls, New York

 

 

 

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH -A National Register of Historic Places Feature visit www.cr.nps.gov/nr/feature/wom .

 

 

 

 

Listing of statues to visit in honor of women within the Washington metro area:

 Ester Morris, Wyoming's "Mother of Women's Suffrage," U.S. Capitol Building

 Frances Willard, temperance activist, U.S. Capitol Building

 Grief, the Adams Memorial, Rock Creek Cemetery, Rock Creek Church Rd., N.W.

 Jane A. Delano, American Red Cross Headquarters, 17th & E St. N.W.

 Joan of Arc, Meridian Hill Park, 16th & Euclid Street, N.W.

 Jeanette Rankin, first female member of Congress, U.S. Capitol Building

 Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial, Lincoln Park, 13th & East Capitol Street, S.E.

 Negro Women and Child, Courtyard, Dept. of Interior, 18th & C Street, N.W.

 Nuns of the Battlefield, 17th & M Street, N.W.

The Suffrage Movement, U.S. Capitol Building

Vietnam Women's Memorial, 21st & Constitution Ave. N.W.

Women in the Military Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery

 

 

 

For information on Women's History sites outside of the metropolitan area, please contact the National Park Service Office of Public Inquiries at 202-208-4747.

 

Please contact the Smithsonian Institution on major Smithsonian programs related to Women’s History at 202-357-2700.

 

Dates and times are subject to change; please verify information before attending any programs by calling the park or Calendar Editor, Toni Braxton at 202-619-7222. All events are FREE unless otherwise noted.

 

 

This Calendar of Events was compiled as a courtesy of:

 

National Capital Region

Office of Communications

Calendar Editor: Toni Braxton

1100 Ohio Drive SW

Washington, DC

202-619-7222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: 1/4/08