Celebrate Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is observed from March 1 – 31 each year in order to celebrate the multitude of (often unacknowledged) contributions women have made to history, society, and culture.  

Did You Know?

Did you know that America has already had a woman as acting President? Read all about it in Madam President

Did you know it was the brilliant Navy officer Grace Hopper who first used the word “bug” to describe a computer malfunction, and who led a team that created the first universal programming language for computers? Read about her fascinating life story in Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age

Have you heard the story of Wilma Mankiller, the first women honored as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation? See what true grit and determination looks like in Wilma Mankiller

And it was the indomitable Lucille Ball who was responsible for footing the bill to film a successful pilot episode for Star Trek: The Original Series. Learn all about how her life impacted Hollywood in all sorts of unique and subtle ways in the new biography A.K.A. Lucy 

Library Programs for Women’s History Month 

Online Events

The Power of Friendships with Nina Totenberg - Online Author Talk - Wednesday, March 6 from 1:00–2:00PM.
You're invited to an intimate conversation with Nina Totenberg as she talks about her nearly fifty-year friendship with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her book Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships, opens a new window.

Retelling Greek Classics with Madeline Miller - Online Author Talk - Thursday, March 21 from 4:00-5:00PM.
You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with Madeline Miller, bestselling author of The Song of Achilles and Circe, as she chats with us about her body of work and her process in retelling Greek classics into modern epics in fiction.

In-Person Events 

Lyla June: Architects of Abundance - Friday, March 22 from 7:30–9:00PM at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.
Join us for an evening with Lyla June, Indigenous musician, scholar, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne), and European lineages. Dr. June will present her talk "Architects of Abundance: Indigenous Regenerative Food Systems & the Excavation of Hidden History".

Community Events 

Snohomish County 

Eleanor Roosevelt - Mountlake Terrace Plaza on March 1 at 2:30PM. Enjoy a special presentation by Debbie Dimitre, a storyteller portraying Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Carried By The Current – Snohomish PUD Theatre from March 7-17. An historic play about women escaping abusive relationships in the 1800s.  

Island County

Dream It, Be It; Career Support for Girls – Oak Harbor High School on March 9 from 9AM-4PM. A free event for Oak Harbor or Coupeville students in grades 9-12.

Learn More

GALE In Context, Biography: Notable Women – biographical information on numerous women of historical importance.

GALE In Context, U.S. History: Women’s Rights Movement – directory of primary documents, periodicals and other resources on issues relating to civil rights for women in America.

GALE In Context, World History: Women’s Rights – directory of academic journals, primary documents and other resources related to women’s rights around the globe.

World Book Timelines: Women’s Firsts in the Modern Era – historical timeline of female achievement around the globe from 1793-2017.

World Book Timelines: U.S. Women’s Firsts – historical timeline of female achievement in the United States from 1793-2016.