The history of Kentucky’s “every woman” will be explored throughout March at the Kentucky Historical Society. Since 1987, Congress has designated March Women’s History Month.
“Women’s history is Kentucky’s story,” says Joanie DiMartino, adult programs coordinator for the Kentucky Historical Society. “We’re 51% of the population,” she continues, noting that women have played changing but significant roles throughout the Commonwealth’s history.
DiMartino says present-day historians continue to unearth fascinating stories about women which provide perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. One particularly exciting artifact is the golden 1912 banner carried by members of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association to the Democratic National Convention. The banner will be on display in the exhibit History Unfurled: Flying Kentucky’s Flags, which opens March 18 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
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In honor of Women’s History Month, the Kentucky Historical Society offers the following events and resources that spotlight women’s changing roles in Kentucky’s history throughout March. For more information on these events, visit our Web site at http://history.ky.gov.
Museum Theatre
Diary of the Depression: A Day with Mary Ruth Dawson
Saturdays in March, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Center for Kentucky History
Sit back, put up your feet, and spend a day in the life of this Depression-era woman created from the diaries of Mary Ruth Slaton of Hopkins County, Kentucky. Free with admission. To learn more, contact Greg Hardison, ext. 4454.
Brown Bag History
“Women on Wheels: Victorian Women and Their Bicycles”
Wednesday, March 1, noon, Center for Kentucky History
Discover with Western Kentucky University’s Special Collections Librarian Jonathan Jeffery how the bicycle impacted the early women’s rights movement—a great way to observe Women’s History Month! For adults. Free. Contact Joanie DiMartino, ext. 4467.
Bluegrass Bookmarks
Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation
Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m., Center for Kentucky History
Celebrate Women’s History Month as Tammy Horn, Berea College professor and beekeeper, discusses the history of women beekeepers in Kentucky! Attendees can participate in a free book raffle. Book signing and ‘sweet’ refreshments to follow. For adults. Free. Contact Joanie DiMartino, ext. 4467.
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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, Kentucky Military History Museum and its five-year-old headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center for Kentucky History has welcomed almost one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web at http://history.ky.gov.