Jacobs Library: Library Displays: Women's History Month

Women's History Month

Celebrated throughout the Month of March

History of Women's History

The historic story of Women's History Month began in the state of California in 1978. The Sonoma County School District began the tradition of Women's History Month with a week-long celebration of women. Soon, celebrations were occurring all over America and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter made the first presidential proclamation marking March 8th as "National Women's History Week." Finally, years later in 1987 the National Women's History Project was able to convince Congress to expand the week long celebration to the entire month of March(1).

Women's History Month Books

Visit the library to see our physical book display!

Women's Documentaries

Anita: Speaking Truth to Power
This film, tells the story of a young African American woman who stood up against the sexual harassments she had endured from white men
Colette
Colette tells the story of ghost writing for her husband and the fight she endures for creative ownership and gender roles during her time.
Legacy
This compelling and uplifting story reveals the complexities of poverty, welfare, drug abuse, and human resilience from an African-American perspective.
Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice
This documentary, tells the dramatic and turbulent life of Ida B. Wells.
In Search of Lin Zhao's Soul
This film, is a historical re-creation of Lin's life, path of resistance, and death in Shanghai
Margaret Atwood: A Word After a Word After a Word is Power
The film explores Atwood's "backstory", her early days in the Canadian wilderness and as a poet. Atwood's novels are explored, including her latest, The Testaments, the highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. Personal stories are shared by friends, family and, of course, directly by Atwood herself.
Miss Representation
"This film exposes the media's contributes to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America."
One Woman, One Vote
This film, tells the culminative story of how the 19th Amendment came to pass.
Parched
Parched, is an inspirational drama about women set in the heart of parched rural landscape of Gujarat, India. It traces the bittersweet tale of four ordinary women: traditional Rani, a young widow; lively Lajjo, who lives in an abusive marriage; outcast Bijli, a dancer and prostitute who becomes friends with Rani and Lajjo; and Janaki, a young teenager in a miserable arranged marriage to Rani's son Gulab.
Political Animals
Political Animals, tells the story of the civil rights struggle and gay rights movement - through the eyes of the first four members of the LGBT Legislative Caucus.
RBG
RBG, is the personal story of how U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made her rise to the highest court in the United States.
The Squad
The Squad, tells the story of four fearless women of color under fifty elected in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections. They are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Get to know The Squad in this hard-hitting new political documentary.
Women's March
On January 21, 2017 women march on Washington D.C. but also, around the world to show that they have not stopped fighting for human rights, dignity, and justice. Women's March was filmed on location in Boston, San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Rosa, and Washington D.C.
Young Lakota
Young Lakota, tells the story Cecillia Fire Thunder - the first female President of the Oglala Sioux tribe and the political storm she ignites while confronting South Dakota's proposed law of criminalizing all abortions.

Library Displays

Related Resources and Website Links

Women's History Month

History of Women's History

Women's History Month Books

Women's Documentaries