Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Women’s History Month is a time to honor, celebrate, and recognize the contributions of women throughout American history, as well as their fight for equality. The month-long celebration coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Library is joining the celebration by recognizing notable people via our Women's History Month book displays, hosting events, and recommending reads.
Featured Notable People
The first woman in America to receive a medical degree, Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol, England in 1821; her family moved to Cincinnati in 1832, where they ultimately settled. Elizabeth graduated at the top of the 1849 Geneva Medical School class. In 1853, she opened a one-room dispensary, which expanded into the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857—the first hospital run by women.
Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, critically-acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni grew up in Lincoln Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati in Hamilton County. She attended Fisk University, her grandfather’s alma mater, and graduated with honors. While at Fisk, she edited the school’s student literary magazine, Élan. In the late 1960s, Giovanni was one of the foremost authors of the Black Arts Movement, and later organized Cincinnati’s very own Black Arts Festival. Her work was heavily influenced by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. In the following decade, she began writing children’s literature and co-founded NikTom Ltd., a publishing company with a focus on African American women writers.
Born and raised in Norwood, Ohio, Dottie “Kammie” Kamenshek grew up playing sandlot baseball with other neighborhood children. In 1943 at the age of 17, she was drafted by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — founded to keep baseball alive during World War II — for the Rockford Peaches, whom she played with for 10 seasons. She started outfield and moved to first base after 12 games, a position she stayed in through retirement. Kammie won back-to-back hitting titles in 1946-77, making her of the league’s best all-round players. In 3,736 at-bats, Kammie only struck out 81 times, making her batting average .292.
Featured Events at the Library
The Women’s Health Fair returns to the Downtown Main Library on Saturday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its seventh year! The event focuses on the physical, mental, emotional health and well-being of female-identifying indivduals. All ages are welcome! No registration is required.
As part of the fair, attendees can register for Women & Weightlifting from noon-12:45 p.m. Certified Personal Trainer Haley Foreman will give a presentation exploring the increasing number of women joining gyms, how women can strength train, common misconceptions of resistance training, the benefits of exercise, and more.
And from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m., bring your child to a short and sweet Storytime followed by “Mommy and Me” yoga. Enjoy a child-friendly yoga session for moms, aunties, grandmas, and children. Yoga mats are provided. Registration is required.
Later in the month, explore the intersection of history and culture with the Library’s monthly Lunch and Learn series on Friday, March 27 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Reading Branch. Hosted in partnership with the Cincinnati Art Museum, this month’s theme is Designing Women - Cincinnati’s Dress Makers, which will cover the best in late 19th and early 20th-century women’s fashion. Aimed at older adults, the series is presented in collaboration with Cincinnati’s cultural hubs, historians, and Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky.
Featured Books at CHPL
Celebrate Women’s History Month by checking out books from staff-curated lists for all ages! These books are perfect not only for March, but all year long.
Featured Library Collection
The American Gold Star Mothers organization originated in 1928 for mothers who lost sons and daughters in battle and sought solace by continuing to serve the military community. They wear a gold star as a symbol to honor their children's courageous sacrifice in service.
Learn more about Gold Star Mothers and the Veterans History Project in CHPL’s Digital Library.
What are you reading for Women’s History Month? Share in the comments below!
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