Sept. 26, 1909: International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union Strike
Local 25 of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) declared a strike.
Continue reading
Theme: Women's History
Women’s History
Sept. 27, 1962: Silent Spring Published
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published.
Continue reading
Aug. 1, 1952: Sarah Keys Refuses to Give Up Her Seat on a Bus
Sarah Keys refused to give up her seat on a state-to-state charter bus, prompting the landmark court case, Sarah Keys v. Carolina Coach Company.
Continue reading
The Women Who Caught the Babies: A Story of African American Midwives
Picture book. By Eloise Greenfield. Illustrated by Daniel Minter. 2019. 32 pages.
This unique picture book begins with historical background on the work of midwives and then switches to poetry to tell vignettes from lives of midwives during slavery, emancipation, and today.
Continue reading
This unique picture book begins with historical background on the work of midwives and then switches to poetry to tell vignettes from lives of midwives during slavery, emancipation, and today.
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks: Young Readers Edition
Book — Non-fiction. By Jeanne Theoharis and Brandy Colbert. 2021.
This biography of Rosa Parks accessibly examines her six decades of activism, challenging young readers’ perceptions of her as an accidental actor in the Civil Rights Movement.
Continue reading
This biography of Rosa Parks accessibly examines her six decades of activism, challenging young readers’ perceptions of her as an accidental actor in the Civil Rights Movement.
Sept. 29, 1951: “A Call to Negro Women” Sojourners for Truth and Justice
A decade before the March on Washington, a group of Black women known as the Sojourners for Truth and Justice gathered in Washington D.C. to advocate for their rights.
Continue reading
Mighty Justice (Young Readers’ Edition): The Untold Story of Civil Rights Trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree
Book — Non-fiction. By Katie McCabe and Jabari Asim. 2020. 208 pages.
A young readers' adaptation of Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights, the memoir of activist lawyer Dovey Johnson Roundtree.
Continue reading
A young readers' adaptation of Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights, the memoir of activist lawyer Dovey Johnson Roundtree.
Rethinking the U.S. Constitutional Convention: A Role Play
Teaching Activity. By Bob Peterson. Rethinking Schools. 14 pages.
A role play on the Constitutional Convention which brings to life the social forces active during and immediately following the American Revolution with focus on two key topics: suffrage and slavery. An elementary school adaptation of the Constitution Role Play by Bill Bigelow. Roles available in Spanish.
Continue reading
A role play on the Constitutional Convention which brings to life the social forces active during and immediately following the American Revolution with focus on two key topics: suffrage and slavery. An elementary school adaptation of the Constitution Role Play by Bill Bigelow. Roles available in Spanish.
Salt of the Earth
Film. By Herbert Biberman. 1954. 94 minutes.
This classic, powerful film about a miners strike in New Mexico can be used to teach about the intersection of class, race, national origin, and gender.
Continue reading
This classic, powerful film about a miners strike in New Mexico can be used to teach about the intersection of class, race, national origin, and gender.
Cindy Sheehan: “It’s Time the Antiwar Choir Started Singing”
Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
Dramatic reading of Cindy Sheehan's speech "It's Time the Antiwar Choir Started Singing" (2005) is read by Marisa Tomei and Staceyann Chin.
Continue reading
Dramatic reading of Cindy Sheehan's speech "It's Time the Antiwar Choir Started Singing" (2005) is read by Marisa Tomei and Staceyann Chin.
Anne Braden: Southern Patriot
Film. Produced by Anne Lewis. 2012. 75 minutes.
Documentary about Southern activist Anne Braden.
Continue reading
Documentary about Southern activist Anne Braden.
Dec. 1, 1955: Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Her Seat
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Continue reading
Nov. 30, 1924: Shirley Chisholm Born
Born on this day, Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress
Continue reading
Oct. 8, 2004: Wangari Maathai Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on the environment and founded the Greenbelt Movement.
Continue reading
The Rebellious Lives of Mrs. Rosa Parks
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow.
In this mixer lesson, students learn about Rosa Parks' many decades of activism by taking on roles from various times in her life. In this way, students learn about her radicalism before, during, and long after the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Continue reading
In this mixer lesson, students learn about Rosa Parks' many decades of activism by taking on roles from various times in her life. In this way, students learn about her radicalism before, during, and long after the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America
Book — Non-fiction. By Keisha N. Blain. 2021. 200 pages.
A riveting account of the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, highlighting the relevance of her activism on the politics of today.
Continue reading
A riveting account of the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, highlighting the relevance of her activism on the politics of today.
Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints, and Subversives
Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Sosa, Clark, and Speed. 2020. 352 pages.
This anthology examines female role models and subversives who stood up for their visions and ideals in Mexico and Texas.
Continue reading
This anthology examines female role models and subversives who stood up for their visions and ideals in Mexico and Texas.
Chicana Movidas: New Narratives of Activism and Feminism in the Movement Era
Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Cotera, Espinoza, and Blackwell. 2018. 488 pages.
This anthology focuses on Chicana organizing, activism, and leadership and the intellectual and political legacies of early Chicana feminism.
Continue reading
This anthology focuses on Chicana organizing, activism, and leadership and the intellectual and political legacies of early Chicana feminism.
Teaching Gloria E. Anzaldúa: Pedagogy and Practice for Our Classrooms and Communities
Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Cantú-Sánchez, de León-Zepeda, and Cantú. 2020. 360 pages.
Essays on the first-hand use of Gloria E. Anzaldúa's theories in classrooms and community environments.
Continue reading
Essays on the first-hand use of Gloria E. Anzaldúa's theories in classrooms and community environments.
Feb. 9, 1919: Women Burn Effigy of President Wilson and Demand Right to Vote
In one of the more spectacular demonstrations for women's voting rights, the National Woman’s Party burned President Woodrow Wilson in effigy in front of the White House during the campaign for the 19th Amendment.
Continue reading
April 17, 1944: Modjeska Simkins Challenges SC Governor to a Debate
Prompted by South Carolina’s all-white political primary system, civil rights advocate Modjeska Monteith Simkins wrote a letter to Governor Olin D. Johnston of South Carolina challenging him to a debate on white supremacy.
Continue reading
Aug. 14, 2017: Activists Topple Confederate Monument in Durham
Freedom fighter Takiyah Thompson looped a bright yellow strap around the neck of a Durham, North Carolina monument to Confederate soldiers, and a crowd of other activists pulled it down, inspiring other communities to take direct action in removing public symbols that glorify white supremacy, and to raise up new stories that celebrate all people.
Continue reading
La Operación (documentary)
Film. Directed by Ana María García. 1982. 40 minutes.
La Operación is a 1982 documentary that shows the widespread sterilization operation led by the U.S. during the 1950s and 60s in Puerto Rico.
Continue reading
La Operación is a 1982 documentary that shows the widespread sterilization operation led by the U.S. during the 1950s and 60s in Puerto Rico.
Teaching With Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All
Teaching Activity. By Ursula Wolfe-Rocca. 25 pages.
Students engage in an interactive activity with short excerpts from Martha Jones’ book to learn about the leading role of Black women in the fight for voting rights throughout U.S. history.
Continue reading
Students engage in an interactive activity with short excerpts from Martha Jones’ book to learn about the leading role of Black women in the fight for voting rights throughout U.S. history.
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
Book — Non-fiction. By Anna Malaika Tubbs. 2021. 288 pages.
This book details the lives of Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little, the mothers of James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, respectively.
Continue reading
This book details the lives of Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little, the mothers of James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, respectively.