Women’s History Month Resources

For this first blog post, we want to commemorate Women’s History Month with some educational resources that we like to use. These resources are all focused on uplifting women through education. We have included a variety of different media, so however you learn best, there is something for you here! We hope you will take some time this March to look at these resources and learn a little more about women’s history. 

If you’re a fan of historical nonfiction books, check out Remember the Ladies: Celebrating Those Who Fought for Freedom at the Ballot Box by Angela P. Dodson. This book tells the story of women’s suffrage, starting with the women who were laying the groundwork during the American Revolution. Dodson presents centuries of history in an incredibly digestible and accessible format, including pictures, charts, and graphs, focusing on the achievements of these women. This book recognizes women’s accomplishments of the 19th and 20th centuries while also acknowledging the faults in the suffrage movement when it came to issues of race and abolition.

If books are not your thing, there are also some great movies out there highlighting important women in history or highlighting issues impacting women. “Hidden Figures” follows the stories of three Black women (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson) working at NASA in the late 1950s who were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. This film is perfect for anyone interested in history, science, or if you just love a good story. 

Another amazing biographical drama is “Queen of Katwe.” This film is based on the life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess champion. The film shows us Phiona’s journey as she moves up in the ranks and her struggles as she gains more and more fame. Women, specifically women of color, are often erased from history books, and both of these films bring the stories of influential Black women into the mainstream view. It is imperative that we remember and celebrate the accomplishments of all women throughout history to inspire the women and girls of today. 

For those looking to learn about issues impacting women and girls now, try the short documentary, “Period. End of Sentence.” This film, directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, tells the story of the women in a village outside of Delhi, India who are leading a revolution against the stigma surrounding menstruation. For generations, these women did not have access to pads, but the installation of a sanitary pad machine opens up their opportunities. 

All these resources are great ways to get started learning about women’s history and issues, but we hope once you get started, you’ll want more. So, we want to offer a few final resources that can last you for a while. 

Well-Read Black Girl is a book club devoted to uplifting Black women writers who may not receive as much attention from mainstream sources. You can find the reading list on their website and Instagram. Finally, if you’re looking for something to listen to on walks, check out the What’sHerName Podcast. This podcast, hosted by a historian and expert in women’s studies focuses on uncovering the lives of women that you probably haven’t heard of before. 

We hope that this Women’s History Month, you’ll take some time to look over these resources and learn something about women’s history that you never knew before!