10 Things You Can Do To Honor Women

It is Women’s History Month every March, so I decided to give the Ladies a shout out. Here are a few things you can do this month to honor women more than usual.

1. When you hear a sexist joke or comment, say something! Often such asides and jokes seem harmless and may not truly represent an individual’s beliefs so much as they are just meant to get a laugh. Unfortunately even something that seems like harmless fun can be painful to others and have wide reaching consequences. Don’t be afraid to confront such individuals with a short, no-nonsense approach such as: “I can’t believe you just said that” or “What a disgusting sentiment”. Such a stark reminder that sexism is intolerable may be enough to shock the individual into reconsidering his or her words, or to shock others into vocal support of your statement. [Do Something!]

2. Take a field trip [or road trip], to one or all of these museums I’ve listed below to learn more about some of the many women that have made a positive impact on the world. [Cara]

A) The National Women’s Hall of Fame which is located in Seneca Falls, New York, the Birthplace of Women’s Rights. The history I discovered about the Hall is, “…in 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton (a Seneca Falls resident), Lucretia Mott and 300 other women and men held the first Women’s Rights Convention. The Declaration of Sentiments, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, was presented and passed by the convention. These resolutions included among other demands, that women have the right to vote. The struggle for women’s rights had begun.” I myself love the Women of the Hall section on their web site. I discovered it a few years ago; when in an older blog I had a weekly Awesome Lady entry. It is a fantastical reference tool. I need to go visit the actual museum.

B) Women’s Rights National Historical Park…what…see I had no idea about this place. I live in New York City and Marine and I are always looking for places to go on day or weekend trips. For sure we are going this month. :) Some things you can do while you’re there is visit the Visitor Center :D, where there are exhibits and an introduction film about the Park. You can also check out the Wesleyan Chapel, site of the First Women’s Rights Convention. The M’Clintock House was the home of Thomas and Mary Ann M’Clintock, prominent members of Waterloo’s Quaker community who were instrumental in the planning and hosting of the First Women’s Rights Convention. And last, but not least the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House was the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, her husband Henry, and their seven children. There are guided tours though all these spots.

C) The National Women’s History Museum, founded in 1996, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women, and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation’s history. You can not visit it as there is no actual location yet. They are working it out right now. It is going to be in DC. Here is what they say about their situation, “Until the House of Representatives approves the NWHM’s pending legislation for a museum site, we are operating as a museum without walls. The Senate has already directed the General Services Administration to lease the abandoned Pavilion Annex of the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. to NWHM to serve as its museum and research center – if the House approves this legislation then in the future you can visit us there.”

D) The Women’s Museum is located in Dallas, TX. I myself have never heard of this museum. They are a Smithsonian affiliate, The Women’s Museum™: An Institute for the Future makes visible the unique, textured, and diverse stories of American women. Using the latest technology and interactive media, the Museum’s exhibits and programs expand our understanding of women’s participation in shaping our nation’s history and create a lively environment for dialogue and discovery. Thousands of stories recount public and private triumphs and the struggles of those who would be denied their freedoms in all its forms: political, social, and spiritual. I myself have never been to Texas, so I would love to visit. The museum sounds cool. I must live under a rock. :)

E) The last Museum is located on the World Wide Web. It is the International Museum of Women. The mission of I.M.O.W. is, to value the lives of women around the world. I.M.O.W. is a groundbreaking social change museum that inspires global action, connects people across borders and transforms hearts and minds by amplifying the voices of women worldwide through global online exhibitions, history, the arts and cultural programs that educate, create dialogue and build community. Again this is another museum I had never heard of. Now that I found it though, I’m excited to check it out and maybe use it as a reference for some future entries.

3. Write a blog entry, a zine, a magazine article, a book, a myspace bulletin, an article for your local paper, a flash animation, a short film, etc about a strong woman in history that gives you inspiration. Spread that love to the world. I don’t care what anyone says we have to work harder to get what is easily given to others. It makes us stronger. No problem. :) [Cara]

4.Take a 21 question Women’s Suffrage quiz to see what you know and learn what you don’t. I liked it. [Cara]

5. Nominate an American woman for a new commemorative stamp. Write a researched essay about her contributions [see three] and submit it to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) for consideration. [The National Women’s History Project (NWHP)]

6. Take some magazines, photos of important women in your life, and/or draw pictures, cut them up to use in the creation of an awesome collage to celebrate the month of super fresh chics! [Cara]

7. Be nicer than usual to other women, even if they make you mad! [Cara]

8. Call your mom a few more times than last month. [Cara]

9. Take the Get The Picture: History Challenge. It says it is for kids, but I think we to can learn some new stuff [or win really easily. :D]. [Cara]

10. Do the New York Times, Women’s History Crossword. [Cara]

Girl Power!!!

-Cara

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Reason 22 from, 101 Reasons Why I Am Vegetarian:

Several of the world’s mightiest rivers no longer reach the sea, and aquifer levels around the world are dropping by dozens, and even hundreds, of feet. Largely responsible is the fivefold increase in worldwide (water-guzzling) meat production that’s taken place over the last half-century, and the trend is not over. Producing a pound of animal protein requires about 100 times the water to produce a pound of vegetable protein. It takes about 1,300 gallons of water to produce a single hamburger. Seventy percent of the water that is pulled from the world’s rivers, lakes, and underground wells goes to agriculture, and 43 percent of the world’s grain goes to feed animals for meat.