March is Women's History Month! Looking for some unique program ideas? Here are eight to get you started on your programming plans for the month.
Work with your local or state historical society to uncover the story of women's history and the suffrage movement in your area
Present the information to the community through a lecture program or an exhibit. For example, this digital exhibit was created by staff from Princeton Public Library and the Historical Society of Princeton in 2020.
Create a bulletin board or display that highlights the suffragettes that you did not learn about in school
Include their photo and biography as well as any books or articles about these unsung women of the movement. Use this article as a starting guide and be sure to include the women highlighted in the books being discussed.
Screen the feature film Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
The film Iron Jawed Angels is a historical drama about the fight for women's suffrage in the United States. Use this comprehensive guide to have staff or a local teacher/scholar lead a discussion about the film.
Identify and invite a speaker
Find a speaker in your region using the directory found at the National Women’s History Alliance. Invite the speaker for a virtual or in-person program to speak about a suffrage or women’s rights topic.
Host an afternoon talk or “Equalitea” to discuss women’s rights
Have dedicated facilitators and prepared prompts to get the conversations going at each table. During the tea time, serve cookies and tea while attendees engage in conversation about topics connected to women’s rights, such as race, the antisuffrage movement, reproductive rights, pay equity, or the Equal Rights Amendment.
Host a nonpartisan voter registration drive as a way to connect with the history of suffrage while supporting civic engagement in your local community
Voter registration drives also provide an opportunity to develop new partnerships. Reach out to your local League of Women Voters to help with this project. Oftentimes, local election officials can provide you with blank registration forms and information about relevant public training sessions. It is important to understand the laws for voter registration in your area. Be sure to check the Fair Elections Center and Vote411.org websites and discuss logistics with local officials.
Create a suffrage cookbook with community members by researching recipes from the time period or those passed down through the generations in their family
Or hold a cooking event featuring recipes from an actual suffrage cookbook. Use this article on cooking and the suffrage movement as the conversation starter for either of these ideas.
Hold a concert of women’s suffrage songs or period music
Use the Library of Congress' collection on women's suffrage songs and sheet music to compile a virtual concert or invite local musicians to perform the songs.
>>Download the "Let's Talk About It: Women's Suffrage Essay" for book recommendations, discussion questions, and historical background for teaching and talking about women's history in the United States<<
