Women’s history month: Two local celebrations

March, as National Women’s History Month, is set aside to celebrate some of the achievements of women and to increase consciousness and knowledge of women's history. The theme for 2013 is “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” According to Jone Johnson Lewis, the purpose of Women’s History Month is “to take one month of the year to remember the contributions of notable and ordinary women, in hopes that the day will soon come when it's impossible to teach or learn history without remembering these contributions.”

On a local and statewide level, Ohio History Central--Online Encyclopedia of Ohio History notes that “Women have played a major role in the development and evolution of Ohio.” In looking at just the Central Ohio region, the range of the contributions of women is noteworthy, to say the least.

Here are two local places featuring activities that recognize and celebrate Women’s History Month.

Women’s History at the State House

The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate and honor important women in the history of Ohio during Women’s History Month, March 1 – 31, 2013, with tours of the Ladies’ Gallery, a special exhibit and program.

An exhibit focusing on Harriet Taylor Upton will feature artifacts once belonging to this women’s rights advocate and author. Artifacts include letters sent to Upton from U.S. Presidents and other dignitaries, historical photographs and articles authored by Upton. The exhibit is presented in partnership with Ohioana Library and will be on view in the Ohio Statehouse Map Room throughout March.

Special tours of the Ladies’ Gallery will be offered to Statehouse visitors throughout March. The Ladies’ Gallery is a place of honor and learning in the Ohio Statehouse. The Ladies’ Gallery pays homage to Ohio’s first six women legislators who paved the way for women in government. The room also honors all women who have served in the Ohio General Assembly.

Women's History Exhibition

Visitors will see rare film footage of Florence Harding voting for her husband, Warren Harding, in the 1920 presidential election. After the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919, women gained the right to vote. Rare film clips show a suffragette parade in Marion, Ohio and Mrs. Harding voting for her husband for President.

Date: March 1-31, 2013
Location: Ohio Statehouse
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Address: Broad and High Streets, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-752-9777
Web: www.ohiostatehouse.org

Women's History Month at OSU

The Multicultural Center and Office of Student Life at the Ohio State University in collaboration with offices and centers across campus provide a calendar for the annual Women's History Month which offers events held throughout March. Click here to access the calendar.

Since the earliest days of the Buckeye State, women have made history and continue to be a part of the unfolding history of Ohio.

Check out this Women’s History Month tribute to seven women who impacted Central Ohio.