March 2020: Exploring Women's Civic Engagement in American History

March: Exploring Women's Civic Engagement in American History

In this centennial year of the 19th Amendment, let's explore stories of how women of all cultures, backgrounds, and traditions have engaged in civic life throughout American history and earlier. The Lewis and Clark story provides an excellent avenue to share the story of Sacagawea and other women who were part of the expedition’s story.

Taking part in the national celebration of Women’s History Month, we can highlight the stories of women’s role in shaping history that are captured within our trail and in communities through projects by our programs and partners. As the centennial commemoration of the passing of the 19th Amendment gains momentum, we can share stories of various perspectives around women’s suffrage.

• Highlight women’s history connections represented or preserved by your park or program, especially women involved in civic engagement. How did women participate, or even lead, in their communities and cultures, even before having the formal right to vote?
• Introduce women NPS employees, interns, and volunteers working in various career fields, both past and present, and how they are leaders and innovators.
• Share specific ways you work with partners in preserving or interpreting women’s history.
• Create a trip idea for visitors to explore a women’s history topic in your park or with neighboring parks and program-connected sites.
• Tell a story of women’s history through objects in your museum collection.
• Share or create lessons plans and other kids programs to learn about women’s history.

Featured NPS.gov/lecl Webpages

Sacagawea
Women and the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Looking for something ready-made to share?

Sacagawea was either 16 or 17 years old when she joined the Corps of Discovery. She made important contributions to the Expedition west. #LewisandClarkTrail
Learn more about her life: https://www.nps.gov/people/sacagawea.htm

While she’s often overlooked, Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks made an indirect but important contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s outcome. #LewisandClarkTrail
Find out how: https://www.nps.gov/articles/lucy-meriwether-lewis-marks.htm

After the men of the Expedition finished the brutal crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains and reached the home of the Nez Perce in September 1805, some warriors considered killing the exhausted and starving explorers. But Watkuweis, an elderly woman who had once lived among Canadian traders, heard about the plans and stopped the warriors, saying something to the effect, “These are the people who helped me. Do them no harm.” #LewisandClarkTrail
Read more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/watkuweis-and-the-lewis-and-clark-expediton.htm

Lewis and Clark Events That Happened This Month

(ready made posts to share)

On March 23, 1806, the Lewis and Clark Expedition left Fort Clatsop and started the long journey back to St. Louis. #LewisandClarkTrail
More: https://www.nps.gov/articles/lewis-and-clark-leaving-fort-clatsop.htm
When sharing this month's messaging on social media, use the hashtags: #LewisandClarkTrail