Women's History and Heritage

Women’s History Month began as a week-long celebration on March 7, 1982. Five years later, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, officially designating March as Women’s History Month. Since then, the President of the United States has issued annual proclamations and the National Women’s History Alliance has organized themes commemorating women’s history. (source: womenshistorymonth.gov)

Past Women’s History Month Themes:

2019: “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence”
2020: “Valiant Women of the Vote”
2021: “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced”
2022: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”
2023: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”

2023 Events

Women in Information: SJSU iSchool Celebrates Women’s History Month
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific Time

On March 22, 2023, the SJSU iSchool hosted their annual symposium for Women’s History Month. Dr. Sanda Erdelez and Dr. Sandra Hirsh led a discussion with women in the LIS field about how they entered the profession, the challenges they have faced and continue to face, as well as how they pay it forward for other women to succeed.

Transcript here (PDF, DOC).

Past Symposia

In March 2022, the SJSU iSchool hosted a symposium for Women’s History Month titled, “Women in Information.” The keynote speakers, presenters, and panelists touched on a variety of topics within the field of information science as it related to their personal experiences. The speakers also talked about the importance of uplifting each other through mentorship opportunities, while encouraging participants to continue thinking about the relationships women have with each other in the historical context of libraries and labor.

Library and Information Science Best Practices

Best Practices from “Women in Information”:

• Establish mentorship opportunities
• Seek out and/or create support groups for women in informatics
• Actively challenge the relationship women have in the historical context of libraries and labor 
• Think about the ways in which librarianship has historically feminized its workers

Community Profiles

• Christina Chavez Nelson On Finding Her Destiny in Library Work
• Empowering Communities through Digital Library Services with Kristen Chua
• A Mother and Daughter’s MLIS Journey

• BSLISE International Scholar Sabrina Gunn Discovers a Love for Information Systems
• Paving The Way In Youth Librarianship with Jane Gov
• A Life of Libraries with Stephanie Saba

Professional Associations

• ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) 
• International Women’s Day

• Women’s History Month
• American Libraries: Women’s History Month
• IFLA: Women, Information, and Libraries Special Interest Group (WILSIG)

Bibliography

• Women’s History Month
• Celebrating Women’s History Month
• Women in Information: Women Leaders Discuss Experiences and Expectations
• Alumna Havilah Joy-Steinman Bakken Highlights Top 5 Resources for iSchool Students
• MARA Student Vida Barone Shares Her Insight

Videos