Often times, the role of women in history seems to be limited to the fight for women’s suffrage. However, the suffragist movement had a much greater impact on the political revolutions of the eighteenth century, and many of the reform movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, continuing to the present day.
There are several articles and activities in OER Project courses highlighting the contributions of women in science and revolutionary movements throughout world history. In BHP, you will find graphic biographies on geologist Marie Tharp, whose work was essential in the acceptance of plate tectonics and continental drift, and Ynes Mexia, who transformed how botany is studied. There are also articles on the work of Jane Goodall and Marie Curie. In WHP, the Revolutionary Women activity has students research women and create an influencer campaign to showcase the impact of women. Check out how teachers have used this activity in their class in this thread. You will see some great examples of student work! The Comparison - Decolonizing Women highlights the role of women in the push for equality through revolution and decolonization in Africa. There are also some great graphic biographies, including Ollie Baader, a German labor reformer.
Be sure to check out the blogs Revolutionary Women: Little Tweaks Make a Perfect Fit and “Nevertheless, she persisted”: A Celebration of Women’s History, for more resources and ideas for helping students to see the role of women throughout history.
Our questions for you this month are:
- What are your favorite resources to include women in the historical narrative?
- How do you bring in voices that may be left out when teaching history?
Share your questions and comments below. Every person who participates in this conversation will be put in a drawing for a pack of our brand-new Women in History posters! Ten poster packs will be given away this month. We look forward to learning from you!
