Did you know that National Women's History Month was started in Sonoma County? The National Women's History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance) was founded in 1980 by six Sonoma County women (including a former Sonoma State University librarian!) with the goal of bringing attention to women's history. Their advocacy resulted in the establishment of National Women's History Month in 1987.
The library recently acquired the archives of the National Women's History Project, and have begun the work of processing these archives and making them available in our Special Collections. We'll be documenting and sharing with you the treasures we uncover and sharing what the work of processing an archive entails. We're excited to share this journey with you, and to be part of the continued work of preserving and sharing women's history.
In the meantime, you can explore women's history through the library's circulating and electronic collections. Here are just a few things you might want to check out:
Jane: An Abortion Service Through interviews with many of the women who participated, this film details the abortion service which operated in Chicago during the late 1960s and early 1970s, before Roe v. Wade.
Crash Course US History: Women in the 19th Century In which John Green finally gets around to talking about some women's history. John will teach you about the Christian Temperance Union, the Seneca Falls Convention, the Declaration of Sentiments, and a whole bunch of other stuff that made life better for women.
Rebel Girls video series A series of short films about women in history and today, including Boudicca, Mary Shelley, Michelle Obama, Ada Lovelace, Ruby Bridges, and many more.
A Black Women's History of the United States An empowering and intersectional history that centers the stories of African American women across 400+ years, showing how they are--and have always been--instrumental in shaping our country.
A History of Women in 101 Objects This book presents a rich tapestry of historical artifacts and cultural items, each representing significant moments and figures in women's history.
Where Women Made History This website explores women's history through important historical places and sites. This project from the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks to preserve and publicize women's history and increase the representation of women's stories.