Feb. 11, 1916: Emma Goldman Arrested
Russian Jewish anarchist Emma Goldman was arrested for distributing materials about birth control in violation of the Comstock Act.
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Theme: Women's History
Women’s History
March 24, 1853: Mary Ann Shadd Cary Published “The Provincial Freeman”
Mary Ann Shadd Cary published the first edition of “The Provincial Freeman,” Canada’s first anti-slavery newspaper.
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March 4, 1933: Frances Perkins First Woman to Serve in U.S. Cabinet
Frances Perkins became Secretary of Labor, and the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet.
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April 17, 1863: Charlotte Brown Forced Off Streetcar
Charlotte Brown was forcibly removed from a horse-drawn streetcar in San Francisco.
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April 2, 1917: Jeannette Rankin Takes Seat as First Woman Elected to Congress
Jeannette Rankin took her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
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Harriet Hanson Robinson: “Characteristics of the Early Factory Girls.”
Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
Harriet Hanson Robinson's "Characteristics of the Early Factory Girls" (1898) read by Lili Taylor.
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Harriet Hanson Robinson's "Characteristics of the Early Factory Girls" (1898) read by Lili Taylor.
May 3, 1898: Septima Clark Born
Educator and civil rights organizer Septima Clark was born in South Carolina.
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May 19, 1930: Lorraine Hansberry Born
Lorraine Hansberry was an author and activist who wrote “A Raisin in the Sun.”
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July 10, 1972: Shirley Chisholm at Democratic National Convention
Shirley Chisholm was an historic candidate at the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach. Chisholm was outspoken on behalf of civil rights legislation, the Equal Rights Amendment, and a minimum family income; she opposed wiretapping, domestic spying, and the Vietnam War.
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July 16, 1854: Elizabeth Jennings Graham
Schoolteacher Elizabeth Jennings Graham successfully challenged racist streetcar policies in New York City.
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Sept. 14, 1911: El Primer Congreso Mexicanista Convenes in Laredo
El Primer Congreso Mexicanista (First Mexicanist Congress) met in Laredo, Texas in order to discuss social, labor, educational, and economic issues facing Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the United States.
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Teaching SNCC: The Organization at the Heart of the Civil Rights Revolution
Teaching Activity. By Adam Sanchez. Rethinking Schools. 24 pages.
A series of role plays that explore the history and evolution of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, including freedom rides and voter registration.
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A series of role plays that explore the history and evolution of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, including freedom rides and voter registration.
What We Don’t Learn About the Black Panther Party — but Should
Teaching Activity. By Adam Sanchez and Jesse Hagopian. Rethinking Schools. 33 pages.
A mixer lesson introduces students to the pivotal history of the Black Panthers.
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A mixer lesson introduces students to the pivotal history of the Black Panthers.
Oct. 18, 1929: The Persons Case
The Persons Case, a legal milestone in Canada, established the right of women to sit in the Senate of Canada.
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Nov. 14, 1889: Nellie Bly Embarks on Travel Around the World
Pioneering journalist Nellie Bly began a successful attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days.
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Jan. 31, 1938: Emma Tenayuca Leads Pecan Sheller Strike
Tenayuca was known as “La Pasionaria de Texas” for her commitment to justice for Mexican American laborers.
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Before She Was Harriet
Picture book. By Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome. 2017. 32 pages.
An illustrated biography of Harriet Tubman written in verse.
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An illustrated biography of Harriet Tubman written in verse.
Dec. 14, 1917: Kate O’Hare Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
U.S. peace activist and suffragist Kate O’Hare was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for a speech denouncing WWI.
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Jan. 25, 1972: Shirley Chisholm Began Historic Campaign for President
Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, opened her historic campaign for President.
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Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter
Poetry. By Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner. 2017. 90 pages.
Poetry reveals the traumas of colonialism, racism, forced migration, the legacy of American nuclear testing, and the impending threats of climate change.
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Poetry reveals the traumas of colonialism, racism, forced migration, the legacy of American nuclear testing, and the impending threats of climate change.
Climate Change, Gender, and Nuclear Bombs
Article. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools, Spring 2018.
Gender is one of the crucial variables determining how the climate crisis affects us.
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Gender is one of the crucial variables determining how the climate crisis affects us.
An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters, and the Fight for Seadrift, Texas
Book — Non-fiction. By Diane Wilson. 2006. 392 pages.
Shrimp-boat captain Diane Wilson takes on corporate greed and political corruption in a true story about environmental activism on the Texas Gulf Coast.
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Shrimp-boat captain Diane Wilson takes on corporate greed and political corruption in a true story about environmental activism on the Texas Gulf Coast.
June 4, 1919: Congress Passes 19th Amendment and Sends to States for Ratification
Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
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A Queer History of the United States for Young People
Book — Non-fiction. By Michael Bronski, adapted for by Richie Chevat. 2019. 336 pages.
A young adult readers edition of the original text explores the history of LGBTQ+ experiences in the U.S. since 1500.
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A young adult readers edition of the original text explores the history of LGBTQ+ experiences in the U.S. since 1500.