#wmnhist

[yaleuniversity]

For Women's History Month, we asked Yale students to reflect on their sources of inspiration.

Alexis Payne ’19, Berkeley College Who is your role model/inspiration?

Lorraine Hansberry

What kind of inspiration/role model has this woman been in your own life?

When I think of Lorraine Hansberry I am simultaneously reminded of Nina Simone's song "To Be Young Gifted and Black" which was written in remembrance of her and released in 1969. This song alludes to the ways in which knowledge acted as a powerful threat to the institution of slavery upon which this country was founded; for awareness of one's own enslavement with an ability to write or speak about it, functions as a serious hazard to a system that relies on the free labor of Black bodies and the defeat of Black minds and spirits. Hansberry, the first Black woman to write a play produced on Broadway, died at 34 and stands as a symbol of resistance against this system of silencing. Her magnum opus, A Raisin in the Sun—a partially autobiographical work that illuminates the effects of restrictive covenants and redlining on Black families—stands as a testament to both the power of the theatre and to the imperative of speech for those of us who have experienced the trauma of institutionalized racism. In many ways, Hansberry reminds me of the infinite resilience of my own grandmother, my namesake, a poet who died at 36 with no record of her life. As a playwright and a student, she reminds me of my responsibilities to my people and to our narratives. She reminds me to never forget the perilous and revolutionary nature of my mind. She reminds me to never take for granted the opportunities that I have had to write and to learn, to criticize and to challenge.

Why should others know about this woman’s contribution?

Lloyd Richards, the director of A Raisin in the Sun recalled a Black woman who before seeing the show remarked: "The word's out in my neighborhood that something's going on down here that concerns me." When it comes to the American theatre, Hansberry's influence is paramount. The minstrel show had long-reaching effects as blackface tropes proliferated the stage and culture at large. In a cultural space where Blackness became equated to and synonymous with images of a blackened Al Jolson or the "mammy" in Birth of a Nation, the significance of a play on a Broadway stage that stood as a reflection of a true Black experience became revolutionary. Hansberry's work considered the ways in which performance can serve as force against the systematic powers that sought to silence her peoples' nuanced realities. Her work not only provided countless opportunities for Black actors to imagine themselves as artists and for Black people to see themselves reflected on the American stage; it also revealed the importance of Black writers championing their own stories.

[idabwellsquote-blog]

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”

[poindextrix]

Thought I was going to find a scrapbook, but I happened upon a trove of family photos. These are so lovely. #wmnhist #familyphotos #photos #fromthearchives (at Bryn Mawr College Special Collections)

[funshoot-com]

Equal Opportunities

#wmnhist #womenshistorymonth #USArmyReserve #WednesdayWisdom @USArmyReserve

Download an illustrated copy of this article: equal-opportunities

Marksmanship programs have been the longest-serving and most equal opportunity compliant readiness resource in history.

Equal Opportunity programs are intended to direct and sustain a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential and to ensure fair…

[crossinggender]

NPS is forming a community of practice for Women’s History and is organizing for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary in 2020 of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which states that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” In October 2016, NPS also released “LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History,” demonstrating further a commitment to tell the stories of gender and sexual minorities and supplying a national context to begin to frame work at more local levels. The NPS realizes that the public humanities can both expand personal and societal knowledge and encourage the creative imagination needed to address social challenges rooted in history.......

[thesouthern-blog1]

When needs aren't met, or even acknowledged, the world unravels, much like the unfinished edges . "Connections No. 4”, by Kristen Davis; serigraph on cotton muslin, 24 x 18, edition of 5. $50, for sale in our online shop . #printmaking #print #cotton #muslin #ink #blue #gold #organic #relationships #FrankLloydWright #DorothyCaldwell #louisville #charleston #south #thesouthern #connections #loss #love #beauty #thoughts #chs #chsarts #coolwomen #wmnhist #womenshistorymonth #womeninart @studiopano (at The Southern)

[the--connection]

Celebrating bold, trailblazing women! A SATURDAY THOUGHT (+ Rhode Island lecture news)

Celebrating bold, trailblazing women! A SATURDAY THOUGHT (+ Rhode Island lecture news)

To view the full photo without the quote, click here.

This week the theme for International Women’s Day (#IWD2017) on March 8 is “Be Bold For Change”. In the United States, the theme for National Women’s History Month (#NWHM2017) is ““Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business”.

Men and women around the world have been benefitted every time any pioneering individual has been allowed to…

[introvertedone]

Today in #WomanHistory 8/18/1920: The 19th Amendment, which guarantees the right of women to vote, was ratified when TN became 36th state to approve it. #wmnhist

[yaleuniversity]

For Women's History Month, we asked Yale students to reflect on their sources of inspiration.

Jackie Honet ’19, Ezra Stiles College

Who is your role model/inspiration?

When I think of my female inspirations, so many different women come to mind. However, overall, I think my “big sister” at Yale is my role model.

What kind of inspiration/role model has this woman been in your own life?

I always say to other people that she has been one of the best things that happened to me since coming to this campus, and I always introduce her not only as my mentor, but as just one of my best friends. She leads by example, but also pushes me and helps me grow and become a better person. She has taught me to be unapologetically myself and to venture outside of my comfort zone. She has shown me that it’s okay to have insecurities because everyone does, just so long as you don’t let them hinder you.

Why should others know about this woman’s contribution?

Perhaps her impact is less tangible because she influences people with her kindness and endless support, but she has a silent strength and has become such an important person for me on this campus and in my life. I admire and appreciate her endlessly, and I hope she knows how much she inspires me just by being herself.

[idabwellsquote-blog]

[poindextrix]

Around 1910, on loose papers that she likely intended as part of a diary, Mary Whitall Worthington wrote "...no sooner do you support women than you are considered to be revoking man, when nothing is further from your thoughts." #stillfightingthisfight #wmnhist #collegewmnhist #fromthearchives #feminism (at Bryn Mawr College Special Collections)

[galaxyofcomics]

Hey, it's women's History Month and these are the best books ever! #womenshistorymonth #wmnhist #planet5050 #heforshe #hb2 #reprorights #restorethevra #papergirls #briankvaughan #cliffchiang #mattwilson #brianvaughan #captainmarvel #kellysuedeconnick #davidlopez #marciotakara #jilliantamaki #marikotamaki #supergirl #melissabenoist #cwsupergirl #supergirlcw #karadanvers #batgirl #cassandracain #cassiecain #cassiecainbatgirl #cassandracainbatgirl #Galaxyofcomics http://ift.tt/2lrXEJ4

[crossinggender]

Schedule for 2017-2018 Boston Seminar on Women Gender & Sexuality -- join us! @mhs @SchlesingerLib https://www.masshist.org/2012/calendar/seminars/women-and-gender