Welcome to the second issue of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center e-newsletter! We had a terrific response to the first edition and look forward to hearing from you about suggestions or material for future issues. I want to particularly thank Cheryl Knauer, from our Marketing Committee, for her excellent work in coordinating and editing the newsletter.
 

This issue is once again chock full of information for your use and to share with others. Many of you, as individuals or members of organizations, observe Women's History Month in March. As with all the other "special" months, it is our hope that we eventually won't need separate months to highlight women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, etc. We are in a transitional stage at this time, one where we must help people to become aware of the extent and importance of the contributions of girls and women throughout our history. It is only after our society and our schools are cognizant of the significance of the contributions - and the ongoing issues and needs - of women and diverse minority groups that we will no longer need to have special months - because we will all be included all year-round.
 
The observance of Women's History Month began in 1980. Initiated by the National Women's History Project, and sponsored by our Maryland Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, it has been proclaimed at the federal and state levels every year since then. The first information packet was developed by the Maryland Commission for Women and Maryland State Department of Education in 1981. For more than two decades, such packets and bulletin board display kits have been distributed, on a different topic each year, to all schools and libraries in our state. Linda Shevitz of the Maryland State Department of Education has coordinated that effort and is to be applauded for her stellar job! 
 
Also, since 1985, women have been inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, coordinated by the Maryland Commission for Women and the Women Legislators of Maryland. The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame will at last find a visible home in the Maryland Women's Heritage Center!
 
For 2009, the national theme for Women's History Month is "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet." This is a time for schools, organizations and communities to honor renowned women and girls, as well as unsung heroines, who have been working to save our environment from local communities to the global environment. The start of the modern environmental movement was the publication of "Silent Spring" written by Rachel Carson while she was living at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. We will be honoring her and other Maryland Women during this month. See below for a list of Women's History month events taking place in March. Also, visit our Website for other events and updates. Come yourself and bring others to these events!

 
Also below, you will find contact information for the Maryland Commission for Women and the local Commissions for Women throughout Maryland. We encourage you to support the critical work of these active commissions and to attend their programs. 
 
As we work to make the Maryland Women's Heritage Center a reality, we have coined a phrase to describe our work:  "We are adding herstory to history to tell ourstory." Let's all tell our stories - and work on issues of importance to women, girls and their families - together!

 

Phone:  410-767-0675

 

E-mail address remains the same:  [email protected]