Women’s History Month Q&A of the Day: March 16, 2011

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Ladaesha Jackson

Q: Who was the first woman to run for President of the United States?

A: Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for President of the United States in 1872. Newspapers at the time called her a leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the 19th Century and she was known for her views on spiritualism, business reform and free love.

Woodhull and her sister made a fortune as the first female Wall Street brokers and used their money to found a newspaper which became notorious for publishing opinions on topics like sex education, free love, vegetarianism, suffrage, spiritualism and licensed prostitution.

In 1871, she announced her intention to run for president and was nominated by the Equal Rights Party the next year. Frederick Douglass was nominated for Vice President, although he never acknowledged this. In spite of her declaration, nomination and ratification as a nominee, many have questioned the legality of her run for a number of reasons, including: the government declined to print her name on the ballot, she was not 35, she did not receive any electoral votes and she was a woman.

She later moved to England, where she gave lectures and published a magazine with her daughter.

What Our Grantees Are Doing: Increasing STEM Opportunities for Girls

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Wendy-Nia Griffin

Wendy-Nia Griffin is the S.I.S.T.E.R.S program director at Family Support Center, a Maryland nonprofit that offers social and mental health services to families and schools in the metro area. FSC has received grants from The Women’s Foundation for the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. (Self, Image, Strength, Tenacity, Empathy, Responsibility, Success) after-school empowerment program. S.I.S.T.E.R.S. offers comprehensive outreach, education and mentoring for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls.

From one S.I.S.T.E.R.S. to another sister — this program is making a difference in the lives of tween girls by imbuing concrete coping and decision-making skills. The S.I.S.T.E.R.S. groups go straight to the crux of what impacts young girls like bullying and self image, healthy relationships, peer pressure and healthy bodies. The girls set the agenda and thus the group is socially and culturally relevant.

Part of being relevant means taking a look at areas that need improvement, so we recognized that the U.S. lags behind in leadership in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. That prompted us to start an initiative within S.I.S.T.E.R.S called S.I.S.T.E.R.S in Science. Our agenda remains ambitious and has included a trip to the National Science and Engineering Festival and visits from traditional scientists as well as kitchen scientists (who showed us that scientists can really cook!).

Our culminating event will take us to visit the National Institutes of Health, to expose the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. to world renowned scientists. There, they will get to use NIH’s top notch facilities in hands on experiments. Next year the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. program will send the winner of the S.I.S.T.E.R. in Science of the Year Award to the University of Maryland’s Women in Engineering Program. All we ask is that when she wins the Nobel Prize for Science and Engineering, she remembers to give a shout out to the S.I.S.T.E.R.S.!

Photo: A member of the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. program investigates the wonders of the human brain. Photo courtesy of Wendy-Nia Griffin.

Women’s History Month Q&A of the Day: March 15, 2011

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Mariah Craven

Mary_church_terrell Q: Who was the D.C. resident who became a founding member of the NAACP, the first black woman appointed to the D.C. Board of Education, president of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and integrated the local chapter of the American Association of University Women?

A: The daughter of two slaves, Mary Church Terrell was a Washington, D.C. teacher who helped work for civil rights and women’s suffrage. She was appointed to the D.C. Board of Education in1895, becoming the first black woman in the U.S. to hold such a position. The next year, she became the first president of the newly formed National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and she also founded the National Association of College Women, which later became the National Association of University Women.

In 1909, she became a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She also served as president of the Women’s Republican League during Warren G. Harding’s 1920 presidential campaign. In the 1950s, she led a campaign to integrate restaurants in the District, picketing, boycotting and sitting-in until segregated eating places were ruled as unconstitutional.

After turning 80, Terrell continued to picket and protest. She also persuaded the local chapter of the American Association of University Women to admit black members.

March Madness — Week Two

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Mariah Craven

Team5-Hero The NCAA Women’s Basketball Division III Championship continues and so does our commitment to bring you the highlights. After an exciting weekend of regional championships, the women are headed to the Final Four next weekend in Bloomington, Ill.

Illinois Wesleyan will be heading to their first Final Four after a 61-60 come-from-behind win against George Fox 61-60. Two free throws by Nikki Preston with 4.1 seconds left in the game gave Illinois its only lead after trailing by as many as 23 points in the first half.

The Titans will face off against defending national champion Washington University in St. Louis. The Bears are headed for their 10th Final Four thanks to three players scoring double figures in a 63-58 victory over Chicago. Senior Kathryn Berger led the Bears with 14 points while Alex Hoover had 13 and Brianne Monahan scored a career-high of 12 points.

The Amherst women will make their third consecutive trip to the Final Four after a 68-49 win over Babson. Amherst is now 30-1 for the season and is the only team to defeat Babson all season. Jaci Daigneault led all players in scoring (24) and rebounding (9), helping Amherst build a 20-point halftime lead.

Amherst is taking on Christopher Newport University in the Final Four. Saturday’s win over Lebanon Valley was CNU’s first ever basketball regional championship. Chelsie Schweers led CNU, scoring 27 points.

The women’s Division III Final Four tips off on Friday at 8 p.m. in Bloomington.

Meet Ms. Maryland: More Than a Crown

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Tiffany Parker

Tiffany Parker is Ms. Maryland 2011. As she moves toward competing in the Ms. United States pageant, she has included Washington Area Women’s Foundation in her platform. Read on to find out why women’s empowerment is so important to her and why she chose The Women’s Foundation.

There are many misconceptions about beauty pageants and what they truly mean to our society. Many people develop their impressions from watching weekly reality shows with overbearing mothers and miserable participants being forced to perform like circus animals, but the truth is, adult pageantry is a different realm all together. Gone are the days when a beauty queen was only expected to show up and wave with a smile on her face. Today many state delegates are activists within their communities, advocating for those who don’t have a voice, and many of them have taken on the role of state and local ambassadors. My goal is to use my voice and crown for great things this year, not only for myself, but for other women in my community.

One of my first tasks as Ms. Maryland was to find and partner with an organization that shares my beliefs and platform, the empowerment of women. A Google search led me to the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. So many times as women we forget our power, and we give up our voice so easily. An old proverb says that “a home’s foundation does not lie on concrete, but on women.” We are the foundation of homes, communities, and nations, and it’s important to instill that belief in every little girl. When I read The Women’s Foundation’s mission statement, I knew my search for a foundation to partner with for my reigning year was over. I humbly submitted my request to partner with The Women’s Foundation to continue to spread the message, and it was accepted. I am so proud to say that I am affiliated with an organization that is fighting for women and making a daily impact.

My Great Grandmother lived to be 103 years old. Born in 1900, she would tell us stories of how she wasn’t allow to vote and other injustices we couldn’t imagine taking place today. So to live in time where I have freedom of speech and can actually make an impact, I believe that it would be a disservice to any woman that came before me, to not use this opportunity or to take it lightly. So with this I say “Thank You” to Washington Area Women’s Foundation for this opportunity, and I say “Chello” (my version of Hello) to the readers of this blog and the supporters of the Foundation…. This is going to be wonderful year, and I can’t think of anyone else I would rather share it with, than you.

Check back for updates about Ms. Maryland’s reigning year. And if you’d like to meet Ms. Maryland, her next public event will be her inaugural cocktail party on Thursday, March 24th, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Jin — 2017 14th Street, NW. RSVP on Facebook by clicking here.

Women’s History Month Q&A of the Day: March 14, 2011

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Ladaesha Jackson

Q: A proponent of women’s suffrage and black civil rights, this woman is recognized for organizing the American Red Cross.

A: At the start of the Civil War, Clara Barton began tending to wounded soldiers. After the First Battle of Bull run, she established an agency to collect and distribute supplies to wounded soldiers and later received permission to travel to the front lines and organize the hospitals there. Barton also helped develop nursing as a skilled profession during the war.

In 1873, Barton started a movement to gain recognition for the International Committee of the Red Cross by the U.S. government. She succeeded during the administration of President James Garfield and became president of the American branch of the society which was founded in 1881 in New York.

She died in Glen Echo, MD. Her home is now the Clara Barton National Historic Site and was one of the first dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman.

Women’s History Month Q&A of the Day: March 11, 2011

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Ladaesha Jackson

Q: Who was the first American woman to go into space?

A: Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman to go into space in 1983. At the time, she was also the youngest person to go into space. Ride joined NASA in 1978, after answering a newspaper ad seeking applicants for the space program. She was preceded in space by two Soviet women. She is president and CEO of Sally Ride Science, a company she founded that creates science programs and publications for young people, with a focus on girls.

Women’s History Month Q&A of the Day: March 10, 2011

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Ladaesha Jackson

Q: Known as “Moses,” this woman helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom, led a band of scouts during the Civil War, and joined the women’s suffrage movement after the war.

A: Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the “Moses of her people.” Between 1850 and 1858, she helped more than 300 slaves reach freedom. She also became a leader in the abolitionist movement and during the Civil War she was a spy for the federal forces in South Carolina. After the war, she became a major supporter of the women’s suffrage movement.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush designated March 10th Harriet Tubman Day.

Building Bridges & Celebrating International Women's Day

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Lena Peterson

Yesterday, in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, Google teamed up with Women for Women International for Join Women on the Bridge, a unique campaign to raise awareness and show their solidarity about the issues that affect women.

I love the literal and figurative symbolism of standing together on a bridge. It’s such an inspiring reminder that together we can bridge the challenges that women face in terms of education, economic security, health, safety and security. Just as my colleague Mariah said in her blog post from yesterday entitled “Celebrating International Women’s Day – From Bowie to Bhutan,” “as we celebrate the accomplishments and raise awareness about the needs of women around the world, it’s important that we not forget ourselves and our neighbors.”

At the Women’s Foundation we do just that. Our findings in Portrait Project 2010 show that we live in a region divided. The Women’s Foundation helps bridge the socio-economic gaps in our region through strategic investment in our Grantee Partners. Help us continue our work that builds bridges of economic security from Bowie to Bright Seat, to Brentwood to Bethesda. Please donate now at our secure link.

Lena is the Development Associate at Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Photo on the Duke Ellington Bridge courtesy of MBS photos.

An Invitation to Support Women Artists Now

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Catherine Aselford

DC SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day is later this month and you are invited to a sneak peek at some of the talented artists whose work will be performed at this free event. Be sure to mark your calendars and show your support of our local artists!

Market Woman by Elizabeth Olson (a Washington poet who passed away last year)

Seated cross-legged near the free-market throng
(Bargaining, seeking, pushing along),
She seemed indifferent–only her eyes
Sharply responded as hands sought a prize
Among the bright cottons arranged on the squares
Of cloth that delineated her shop and her wares.

Neat black cotton suit, sandals dusty and spare,
A broad cone of straw primly circling black hair,
Aged and ageless, remote yet a part
Of peasantry selling from basket and cart,
She used but a word to receive or give fen–
Her handwork attracting both women and men

The commune’s weekly profit-seeking
Was to its morning climax peaking,
When tourists, bus-dropped at the gate,
Pushed in, as if arrived too late
To join the busy, bartering crowd.
With cries of joy and cameras bowed
They focused on each friendly face
Like hunters warming to the chase.

She sat impassive, eyes veiled from intrusion,
Her squares of bright cloth now an isle of exclusion,
Until one searching lens found the unmoving form,
Like a statue untouched in the eye of a storm.
To the “please…” she responded with poise and quick grace;
In her turning, she left them her form–but no face.

Women are creating some of the most exciting and challenging art in the nation today. And yet, despite great strides in other fields and a few high-visibility success stories, women continue to face enormous employment discrimination in the arts. In 2008, Martha Richards of WomanArts designated the final Saturday of March SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day, a day to recognize women artists. Over the past three years, there have been over 500 SWAN Day events in 14 countries.

DC SWAN Day is one of the largest in the country, featuring film, music, storytelling, poetry, theatre, visual and performance art in five venues in Georgetown, including:

Dishing with the Girls, an open discussion between women artists and the community;
A Staged Reading Marathon of 16 short plays at Grace Church;
A screening of the 2011 Women in Film and Television International Short Film Showcase;
Music, storytelling, poetry and performance art;
Instinctual, an exhibition of art by local women artists (opening March 16 and continuing through March 29, with an artists’ reception Friday, March 25).

All performances are free. For a full schedule and locations, visit www.georgetowntheatre.org.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts offers an early peek at the some SWAN Day performances on Thursday, March 17, 2011 between 2 and 3:30pm. SOAR WITH THE SWANS; MEET THE WOMEN ARTISTS includes poetry; storytelling by Ellouise Schoettler; the screening of a SIS, an award-winning short film from the UK; and the staged reading of Samantha Kuperberg’s 10 PAGE DRAMA, a short play about playwriting. In between performances, attendees will have an opportunity to play “Name That Woman Artist.”

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