Monday March 8th is International Women's Day!

Friday, March 5, 2021

Post brought to you by library intern, Lauren Ordway an English Major at UML.

International Women’s Day, celebrated March 8th, is exactly as it sounds; a day recognized worldwide in which women’s fight for equality is recognized and awareness of our biased society is confronted. A big focus of IWD is celebrating the many social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge which encourages us, as individuals with our own controllable actions, to call out gender bias and inequality; “a challenged world is an alert world.” More about IWD here.

Ways to get Involved:

On the IWO’s official website, there is a list including hundreds of events happening worldwide where communities are gathering–virtually, of course–to celebrate this important day. Link.

Although our local committee Lowell Women’s Week is halting their usual annual events, there are still many interesting resources of past events available online. Check out this public art exhibit from Lowell Women’s Week in 2013, which focused around the theme of “Working Together, Creating Change”.

International Women’s Day centers around a multitude of missions, all which involve bringing the voices of powerful women to light.

To celebrate the work of women creatives and elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions: link
To celebrate digital advancement and champion the women forging innovation through technology: link
To celebrate women athletes and applaud when equality is achieved in pay, sponsorship and visibility: link
To assist women to be in a position of power to make informed decisions about their health: link
To forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and achievements are celebrated: link
To shine a spotlight on activity encouraging and uplifting women to pursue goals without bias or barriers: link

Women-focused book recommendations:

Women in Science – Rachel Ignotofsky
Book | eBook
In this illustrated and educational book, fifty notable women in the fields of science, mathematics, technology and engineering are highlighted. From ancient times to the modern world, important women in STEM who have paved the way are recognized along with beautiful illustrations and infographics.

A Woman of No Importance – Sonia Purnell
Book | eBook | Goodreads
The untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II. Virginia Hall, a young American woman, was one of the greatest spies in American history. At a time when sending female secret agents into enemy territory was still strictly forbidden, Virginia Hall came to be known as the “Madonna of the Resistance,” coordinating a network of spies to blow up bridges, report on German troop movements, arrange equipment drops for Resistance agents, and recruit and train guerilla fighters.

The Push – Ashley Audrain
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Goodreads
In this newly published fiction thriller, Blythe Connor is determined to become the loving mother to her daughter Violet that she never had. When she begins to fear something is wrong with her daughter during the exhaustion of motherhood, her husband dismisses her fears causing Blythe to question her own sanity. After her son is born, life as they know it changes in an instant and Blythe is forced to face the truth.

Hortense and the Shadow – Natalia O’Hara
Book | Goodreads
This children’s fantasy follows Hortense, a young, brave girl who gets angry at her shadow that follows her everywhere she goes. She feels her shadow must hate her too, that is, until she meets bandits that surprise her in the woods and she finds out her shadow is just what she needs.

Blood Water Paint – Joy McCullough
Book | Audiobook | eBook | Goodreads
McCullough’s bold novel written in verse follows Artemisia Gentileschi in Renaissance Italy, abundant with creative inspiration and the devastating setbacks of a system built to break her. Based on the true story, Artemisia Gentileschi is one of the first women in history to take her sexual assault case to court; the courage and determination to not be silenced fills this novel’s pages.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot – Mikki Kendall
Book | Audiobook | eBook
Through a collection of essays, Kendall critiques today’s feminist movement and the glaring blind spot that resides in mainstream feminist. Kendall argues that gender intersects food insecurity, safe neighborhoods, quality education, class, race and sexual orientation. She brings light to the idea that while a few are fighting for more privilege, they are stepping on others in the process.