A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by my department head to provide several resources for junior high/ high school social studies teachers on women's history. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week. This decree was heavily endorsed by the public, and during the next several years, Congress passed bipartisan resolutions naming a week in March as National Women's History Week. After a proactive campaign to expand the week by the National Women's History Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving women's history in the United States, Congress designated the month of March as National Women's History Month in early 1987. Since 1988, the president has issued annual proclamations designating the month of March as our National Women's History Month. Since I believe that our history books ought to reflect the diverse and dynamic stories of all the groups that have inhabited North America, I have routinely discussed the pivotal roles women have played in American history in my AP U.S. history classes in Coppell. I will continue to take sincere delight in sharing my knowledge on women's history (I consider myself an expert in this field, especially in Texas) in class as well as further expanding my students' inquisitive sides by answering their questions. And, it is fitting that I am writing this blog post as the TV in the background is showing Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's senate confirmation hearing (if she is confirmed, Judge Jackson will become the first African American woman to serve on the highest court of the land - a historic and monumental tick in our nation's history!). I am attaching these resources (which include student-friendly, scholarly videos and articles), accompanied with summaries.
"The History Behind Women's History Month" (V) - a brief video from Good Morning America on the history behind this commemorative month.
"PBS Learning: Women's History Month" (V) - an excellent introduction on the history of this celebration; PBS continuously does a fantastic job at sharing interesting, consequential episodes in history to students.
"Influential Women in Medicine" (A) - since this year's theme for National Women's History Month is "women providing healing, promoting hope," it is essential that students engage with material on women who have contributed to medical science. This Voyage Healthcare article surveys a group of women who were pioneers in the medical arena during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
"Rebecca Skloot- Class Resources" (A) - Skloot is an award-winning author who penned the amazing biography on Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cancer cells were used to further develop medical research. This site also provides teachers with class resources, which they may use to engage students in fruitful discussions on women's' roles in public health.
"Women During the Civil War in 4 Minutes" (V) - women became involved during America's bloodiest war as nurses, caregivers, and supportive wives. This brief video by the American Battlefield Trust gives a decent overview on the pivotal role women played to assist their men on the battlefield in hospital tents.
"Female Nurses During the Civil War" (A) - the American Battlefield Trust article on women during the Civil War is an exceptional follow-up to the video above.
"Hannah Anderson Ropes, Civil War Nurse" (A) - this article chronicles the life of Ropes, who displayed enormous courage and diligence in volunteering as a nurse during the Civil War. The article was written by Mr. Chanin in 2019.
"Remembering Esther McCready" (V & A) - McCready, the first African American to be admitted to the University of Maryland School of Nursing, followed a distinguished career in nursing and public health. McCready also made great strides to inspire future generations to follow their goals, regardless of sex or race, by speaking to many student groups. This video and article are superb sources to generate more discussion among young scholars.
National Women's History Museum (A) - the top museum on women's history offers teacher resources that stimulate critical analysis among student groups.
Discussion Board Questions (to create new, profound discussions among students/classes)
1. To what extent did women contribute to the Union war effort during the Civil War?
2. How did women use their newfound professional roles in the twentieth century as an opportunity for advancement?
3. What impact did women pioneers in public health have on American society?
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