Opportunities to learn about Women’s History are everywhere! Our SVCMS students have been reading books, learning about remarkable women with Person of the Day cards, seeing pictures of important women in history in the Assembly, and using tools like Feminist Flashcards. 

LOCAL WOMEN’S HISTORY

Outside of school, there are so many opportunities to learn more about the contributions of women to history and our local communities. Here are some suggestions:

• Listen to a history podcast with your family on your Spring Break road trip. Learn about amazing women like Pura Belpre, Heddy Lamar, and Maria Tallchief with Dorktales Hidden Heroes of History. And check out this list for more podcasts for Women’s History.
• Visit one of three current exhibits about La Malinche, a controversial figure in Mexican history at the Denver Art Museum, the Museo de las Americas, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. 
• Buy tickets for a performance of “They Promised Her the Moon” at CU in April about women astronauts who were denied entry into the space program. 
• Meet the Loveland sculptor on the design team for the Women’s Suffrage National Monument. 
• Check out the Women+ Film Festival in Denver in April.
• Take a self-directed tour of public art created by women artists in the Denver area. 
• Look out for street murals created by local women artists.
• Take a virtual tour of Longmont History and learn about notable women who shaped this city.
• Learn about Great Colorado Women through the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame video series.

EQUAL PAY DAY

Each year, the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) calculates how far into the year a woman needs to work in order to earn what the average man earned in the previous year. This year that day was 74 days into the year on March 15th. NCPE states that “Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay. The wage gap is even greater for most women of color.”

According to Ms. Magazine:

“The problem with these figures is that the wage gap only includes wages. But earnings include a lot more than just wages. Other forms of compensation must be calculated in earnings—such as health insurance, retirement account contributions, bonuses and self-employment income. 

Once you factor in these other forms of earnings, men actually earn 75 percent more than women, according to the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality—meaning that women on average earn only 57 cents on a man’s dollar. A study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found an even greater gap when measuring total earnings, with women workers earning a mere 49 percent—less than half—of men’s earnings. 

If Equal Pay Day was based on this more comprehensive measure of the gendered earnings gap, the day would fall much later in the year—more like October. And for women of color, you’d have to wait until the next year!”

Earlier this week President Biden spoke about the gender wage gap and steps that the White House is promoting to close the gap, such as encouraging private companies to no longer use previous salary as a means of determining the salary of new hires. President Biden and other Democratic congress members also called on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to address the gender wage gap. 

ABAR ACTION

As we head into Spring Break, we’d like to challenge your family to think about how you can include Women’s History and the ongoing fight for equal rights into your family life and conversations. Here are some suggestions:

• Shop at women-owned businesses (we have a lot on Main Street in Longmont!).
• Select music by female artists for your road trip playlist.
• Seek out movies created by and about women for family movie night. 
• Choose books about prominent women to share with your children and talk about them. 
• Encourage family conversations about gender equality with your children. 
• Send a note or text to a woman in your life to express your gratitude for them, cheer them on, pay a compliment, and support them. 
• Contact your state and federal representatives about legislation impacting women’s access to healthcare, equal pay, and early childhood support.

EVENT REMINDER:  ABAR Book Club & Discussion Group  

This Spring, the ABAR Book Club will be reading the book How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi. If you are interested in joining us, please complete this form to be added to the email list. There is no expectation that you will attend every meeting. In fact, we encourage you to join the email list even if you are busy and unsure whether you’ll make every meeting. The book club discussion will be held via Zoom.

The Longmont Library has multiple copies available, as well an excellent audiobook version available on the Libby or OverDrive apps. Join us to learn, discuss questions, and share insights!