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March is Women’s History Month!

You likely already know about the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts’ open grant cycle for the Fund for the Me Too Movement and Allies, or our recent donor appreciation event hosted by WFWM donor and friend, Lisa Unger Baskin (pictured above), on a tour of 500 Years of Women’s Work, but did you know about the Western Massachusetts contributions that honor and celebrate women of the region?

This year marks a number of important milestones for women:
    • 24 years ago the twenty women from Western Massachusetts who attended the conference felt inspired to found Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
Explore an inclusive view of women’s history with a variety of events this month.

Women’s History Month 2020

The Power of Women: Celebrating Women from Western and Central Massachusetts from the 1600s to the Present Day
Part of the Heritage Book and Travel Book Series from The Republican

The Power of Women recognizes over 1,000 extraordinary women who have shaped our community with chapters covering the colonial era; education; social and political activists; authors, poets, editors & publishers; politics, law and government; healthcare; work; military service; science, technology, engineering and mathematics; artistic heritage; philanthropists; music; sports; stage and screen; and other women of note.

An excerpt from The Power of Women:

(B. MAR 17, 1849 IN MONTAGUE, MA; D. DEC. 31, 1934 IN MONTAGUE, MA)

“Cornelia Maria Clapp, Ph. D. was a noted zoologist and marine biologist. During her lifetime, Clapp was ‘rated as one of the top zoologists in the United States.’ She graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary in 1878 and then earned both the first and second Ph. D.s from Syracuse University in 1889 and from the University of Chicago in 1896. In 1888, Clapp began her work at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA. Later, she returned to Mount Holyoke College to help organize the Department of Zoology, becoming professor of zoology in 1904. – Joseph Carvalho III”

Get your copy of The Power of Women to uncover the amazing women in Western and Central Massachusetts who have blazed trails in all areas of life.

On the Move at the Springfield Museums

The fourth annual On the Move Forum is an intergenerational, cross-cultural, gender-inclusive conversation focused on women’s rights, civic engagement, career opportunities, and wealth.

This forum will engage attendees in an interactive conversation about the gaps, gains, and opportunities to advance women, empower young professionals, and inspire students. Read more about On the Move Forum at the Springfield Museums on Wednesday, March 4th at 5:30 p.m.

Voices of Resilience at the Springfield Museums

Voices of Resilience celebrates the intersecting lives of women in Massachusetts and beyond who have changed the course of history.

Through highlights of diverse ‘hidden figures’ and narratives, this exhibition explores the collaborative and interconnected stories of social, educational, and cultural change as defined by women, women of color and others on the move to a more inclusive and just world.

The exhibit opened February 15th at the Springfield Museums and will be discussed at the On the Move Forum on Wednesday, March 4th. Voices of Resilience will close on April 26, 2020 with a closing celebration of these pivotal women in our region and beyond.

Women’s Tea at Springfield College

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, a few of the Young Women’s Initiative members will be attending Women’s Tea at Springfield College to participate in a celebration of intersectional feminisms – with tea and treats!

The event will feature an art gallery featuring works by community members, A Community Action table where you can learn how to get involved in social justice initiatives, interactive art pieces, and an awards ceremony celebrating feminists in our community.

She Shapes History at the Berkshire Museum

She Shapes History celebrates the 100th anniversary of American women winning the right to vote with She Shapes History!

This original exhibition shines a light on exceptional women, their work, and how their accomplishments have changed United States history over the past two centuries. Trace the expectations of “women’s work” in the United States from the early 19th century homestead to the record number of women holding public office today, and learn about the lives of extraordinary women, including local heroes Elizabeth Freeman and Susan B. Anthony.

The exhibit opened October 5, 2019 at the Berkshire Museum and will close on May 25, 2020. This exhibit is free and open to the community as part of Cultural Pittsfield’s First Fridays Artswalk.

We are grateful for the many women who blazed trails for us and want to celebrate a vibrant past by looking toward those emerging, empowered women leaders who fight for gender equity.

Join us in celebration this #WomensHistoryMonth at our upcoming events!