Women's History Month | Periscope

Why do we celebrate Women's History Month during the month of March?

In 1987, an act of Congress designated the month of March as Women's History Month. During the month, schools and communities celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. Although the official observation of Women's History Month is relatively recent, it owes part of its inspiration to an event called National Women's Day first celebrated in 1909.

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Sarah Grimké | Periscope
Sarah Grimké | Periscope
Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

Abolitionist Sarah Grimké was born into a wealthy slaveholding Charleston family in 1792. After experiencing the injustices of slavery firsthand, she became a noted speaker for the antislavery...
Susan B. Anthony | Periscope
Susan B. Anthony | Periscope
Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5

Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820 to a Quaker family in New England. Quakers practiced equality between men and women and did not believe in violence or slavery. Although Susan B. Anthony was not...
The 19th Amendment | Periscope
The 19th Amendment | Periscope
Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Women celebrate the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The amendment allowed them the right to vote for the first time. Photo courtesy: Business and Professional Women
Women in U.S. History | Periscope
Women in U.S. History | Periscope
Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Women's History Month is a great time to explore the achievements of women throughout U.S. history. Read on to learn about women who have had a significant impact on U.S. history.
Amelia Bloomer (1818-1894) | Periscope
Amelia Bloomer (1818-1894) | Periscope
Episode 2

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Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In 1849, Amelia Bloomer became the first woman to own, operate, and edit a newspaper for women. Her paper became a voice for the women's rights movement, with articles encouraging women to participate...
Lucretia Mott | Periscope
Lucretia Mott | Periscope
Episode 2

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Grades: 9 10 11 12

In 1840, two American women, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, met at an antislavery meeting in London. Because they were women, neither was allowed to fully participate in the meeting. They...
Mary Oliphant | Periscope
Mary Oliphant | Periscope
Episode 2

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The textbooks used today in the study of South Carolina history are influenced by the work of Mary C. Simms Oliphant. Her book The South Carolina Reader taught South Carolinians their state's history...
Elizabeth Cady Stanton | Periscope
Elizabeth Cady Stanton | Periscope
Episode 3

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Grades: 3 4 5 9 10 11 12

In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton invited Lucretia Mott and a small group of women's rights supporters to her home in Seneca Falls, New York. There, they wrote one of the most important documents of the...
Harriet Tubman (1820-1913) | Periscope
Harriet Tubman (1820-1913) | Periscope
Episode 3

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Grades: 3 4 5

Born a slave, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom and became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. As a conductor, she helped over 300 slaves find their own freedom. After the Civil War, she cared...
Septima Clark | Periscope
Septima Clark | Periscope
Episode 3

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

In 1916, Septima Clark was a young African American teacher looking forward to her first teaching assignment in South Carolina. There, she learned firsthand about the poverty and inequality in...
Women's History in Education | Periscope
Women's History in Education | Periscope
Episode 3

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Grades: 9 10 11 12

As women's events such as International Women's Day became more widely observed, many educators believed that the role of women in history textbooks and instruction deserved more attention. In March...
Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) | Periscope
Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) | Periscope
Episode 4

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Despite the fact that Emily Dickinson had little of her poetry published during her lifetime, her work is considered a major influence on modern poetry. Emily's family allowed her limited access to...
Jean Hoefer Toal | Periscope
Jean Hoefer Toal | Periscope
Episode 4

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Jean Hoefer Toal was elected the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court on March 23, 2000. As Chief Justice, she presides over the highest court in South Carolina. Her court sets the rules...
Petition for Women's Suffrage | Periscope
Petition for Women's Suffrage | Periscope
Episode 4

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Grades: 9 10 11 12

Susan was inspired by Elizabeth's work, particularly in suffrage, and became dedicated to gaining equal rights for women. Equal rights meant the right to vote, equal pay, and equal treatment for women...
Women's Rights Supporters' First Meeting | Periscope
Women's Rights Supporters' First Meeting | Periscope
Episode 4

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Grades: 3 4 5 9 10 11 12

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and a small group of women's rights supporters met at Elizabeth's house in 1848 to plan the first women's rights convention. In addition to writing the...
Mamie "Peanut" Johnson | Periscope
Mamie "Peanut" Johnson | Periscope
Episode 5

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Grades: 6 7 8

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson challenged the traditional role of female athletes by entering the men's Negro Major League in 1953. She was the only female pitcher and only one of three women to play in the...
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 - 1955) | Periscope
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 - 1955) | Periscope
Episode 5

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Grades: 3 4 5

Educator Mary McLeod Bethune began a school for needy African Americans in 1904 with $1.50, five students, and a passion to teach. Her school became Bethune-Cookman College and currently has over 2...
National American Woman Suffrage Association | Periscope
National American Woman Suffrage Association | Periscope
Episode 5

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Grades: 3 4 5 9 10 11 12

Susan and Elizabeth formed the National Woman Suffrage Association, open to women only. Their goal was to add an amendment to the Constitution that allowed women to vote. They published newspapers and...
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Episode 6

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

At 19 months old, Helen Keller suffered an extreme fever that made her sight and hearing impaired. She became a national spokesperson for the physically disabled by writing books, giving speeches, and...