
12/21/2022
"Season’s Greetings to all and to all Equal Rights"
What's on your holiday wish list this year?
Button from the Women's Museum of California feminist button collection.
A museum dedicated to educating and inspiring present and future generations about the experiences a
"Season’s Greetings to all and to all Equal Rights"
What's on your holiday wish list this year?
Button from the Women's Museum of California feminist button collection.
While this new era for our organization is just beginning, I am sad to share that my tenure with the Museum is ending. As I complete my three-year contract on December 31 and step down from my role as Executive Director, I leave with a full heart – satisfied with all I helped accomplish and ready for my next big adventure.
Standing at the start of our 40th anniversary, I look forward to witnessing how the Museum will continue to lead in the march toward women’s equality. I intend to stay connected to the Museum in meaningful ways and be a part of its bright future. So, I say goodbye for now, but never farewell.
When I joined the Museum in 2020 as Executive Director, I knew that reinventing a cultural institution like ours, with cherished traditions and a long history of community service, would be challen…
Women came from all over the country to work on assembly lines of defense production plants in San Diego, including Pacific Parachute Company and Convair. Nationally, women made up 65% of the aircraft industry’s workforce during World War II:
This exhibit celebrates the women who gave their time and energy to support the war effort in the 1940s.
In 2023 the Women's Museum of California will celebrate 40 years of inspiring and educating generations on the contributions of diverse women. Be a part of this milestone year and help us continue preserving by becoming a WMC member today:
Join or renew your WMC membership today and enjoy exclusive benefits and support daily operations.
It's not too late to nominate a woman to be inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame! You have until December 31 to get your nominations in. Help us celebrate outstanding women who have made a difference:
Nominate a woman who has made a positive impact in San Diego
Book an interactive experience for your class, club, or organization at the Women's Museum of California!
Led by trained WMC staff, our docent tours and interactive workshops educate and inspire people of all ages on the contributions and accomplishments of diverse women throughout history and today.
Visit the Women's Museum of California Education Center by booking a group visit for your class, community group, or organization.
Join us for our lunch time conversation with artist/activist Desiree Aspiras
Join the Women’s Museum of California for a virtual lunchtime lecture on December 13 featuring artist/activist Desiree Aspires.
Dorothy Pitman Hughes, a pioneering Black feminist, child welfare advocate and lifelong community activist who toured the country speaking with Gloria Steinem in the 1970s and appears with her in one of the most iconic photos of the second-wave feminist movement, has died. She was 84.
NEW YORK (AP) — Dorothy Pitman Hughes, a pioneering Black feminist, child welfare advocate and lifelong community activist who toured the country speaking with Gloria Steinem in the 1970s and appears with her in one of the most iconic photos of the second-wave feminist movement, has died.
Don't miss our lunchtime talk with Desiree Aspiras tomorrow about her organization Printmakers Against Racism. You must register in advance for the Zoom link:
Join the Women’s Museum of California for a virtual lunchtime lecture on December 13 featuring artist/activist Desiree Aspiras .
“When we activate that creative piece, it kind of opens up new ideas and alternatives for us and what we might be willing to do or try, so I’ll be talking about art as a tool to connect us to what’s meaningful to us and to explore and to express. Whether that’s to express pieces of who we are, or to express dissent or outrage, or incredible grief; all these deep emotions and responses to these really difficult things that are happening in our world, art has the capacity to hold all of that.” https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2022-12-11/san-diego-therapist-and-artist-wanted-to-do-more-for-social-change-founded-printmakers-against-racism
Don’t miss our artist talk with Desiree Aspiras this Tuesday to learn more about her work contracting art and activism: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-talk-with-desiree-aspiras-tickets-469218173187
Desiree Aspiras is the founder of Printmakers Against Racism, a project she started in 2020, raising money for social justice causes
Join us this afternoon for a bookmaking class with artist Bhavna Mehta:
Learn how art and activism connect with WMC's series of "Craftivism Classes".
Join us tomorrow for our latest Class! Students learn all about bookmaking with artist Bhavna Mehta:
Learn how art and activism connect with WMC's series of "Craftivism Classes".
The shirts featured on our online exhibit are just a small peak inside the Women's Museum collection of feminist clothing. Do you have a favorite feminist graphic t-shirt?
A look inside the Women's Museum collection of feminist t-shirts
Introduce your students to the hidden histories of women by booking a field trip to the Women's Museum of California for2023! (Hot Tip: If you're thinking about special activities for book a trip now. Availability for March 2023 is filling up!)
Visit the Women's Museum of California Education Center by booking a group visit for your class, community group, or organization.
Join the Women's Museum of California next week for a virtual discussion with artist and activist Desiree Aspiras. Learn about the intersection of art and activism and how Desiree founded Printmakers Against Racism during the pandemic and raised over $50,000 for Black Lives Matter and other causes.
Join the Women’s Museum of California for a virtual lunchtime lecture on December 13 featuring artist/activist Desiree Aspiras .
Do you know who the first woman zoo director was? Or why Kate Sessions is called the Mother of Balboa Park? Have you ever wondered what role women played in organizing the 1915 California-Panama Exposition? Join us for our next free walking tour of Balboa Park!
Learn about the women of Balboa Park! Join the Women's Museum of California every first Sunday of the month for a free walking tour of Balboa Park.
Our stories need to be told! Join us on December 10 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the WMC Education Center to learn all about bookmaking with artist Bhavna Mehta. In our December Craftivism class, students will be able to tell their own stories by making a journal with paper.
Learn how art and activism connect with WMC's series of "Craftivism Classes".
Through the years, The Women’s Liberation Movement aided women in making inroads into other professional careers, sports, and the military. In addition, it was during this era in which women realized that they no longer needed to rely on men in the political sphere to secure their rights and began running for political offices themselves:
Through the years, The Women’s Liberation Movement aided women in making inroads into other professional careers, sports, and the military.
The deadline for Women's Hall of Fame nominations will soon be here. Help us honor outstanding women in our community by nominating a woman you know today:
Nominate a woman who has made a positive impact in San Diego
Join Dr. Wendy Rouse and the Women's Museum of California in a conversation on January 17 about the important role q***r suffragists played in the women's rights movement. https://bit.ly/3F5PtOC
Join Dr. Wendy L Rouse and the WMC in a conversation on the important role q***r suffragists played in the women's rights movement.
Thank you Timesofsandiego.com for including the Women's Museum of California in your list of 10 worthy nonprofits to support this :
Giving Tuesday is the altruistic rejoinder to the shopping or**es of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Nonprofits across the globe are urging people to give, but these 10 will specifically help San Diego.
At the Women’s Museum of California, we bring the stories of phenomenal women to light. We work to ensure that the lives, experiences, and achievements of women are equally represented in historical narratives, museum collections, and in the public sphere.
When you support the Women's Museum of California on you help us fulfill our mission to instill balance in our history books and enable the hidden stories of California women to be told: womensmuseumca.org/donate
Join the Women’s Museum of California for a virtual lunchtime lecture on December 13 featuring artist/activist Desiree Aspiras. She is the founder of Printmakers Against Racism, a project she started which engages printmakers across the world to make and sell prints and donate their proceeds to support racial justice.
Join the Women’s Museum of California for a virtual lunchtime lecture on December 13 featuring artist/activist Desiree Aspiras .
Join us in the spirit of giving this December by participating in our Period with Dignity Drive. We are partnering with Fulling Destiny, a nonprofit organization striving to support and empower menstruators experiencing homelessness, by collecting:
Tampons
Sanitary napkins
Feminine wipes
Underwear
Socks
Fulling Destiny’s aim is to decrease monthly worries and provide necessary period products for all. With these actions, they hope to empower those in need and help increase menstruators’ self-esteem, one menstruator at a time.
Drop off the requested items at the WMC Education Center on December 3rd from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Are you doing some holiday shopping today? Support the Women's Museum of California and get everyone on your list a present at the same time when you shop at our online store:
Preserving the past, inspiring the future
There is no better time than now to become a member of the Women's Museum of California . From reproductive justice, to pay equity, to greater representation of women in government – we fulfill our mission by providing historical context to issues facing women today: https://womensmuseumca.org/membership
Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican American actress, Myrtle Gonzalez and was illustrated by Bay Area-based guest artist, Ana Ramírez González. Myrtle Gonzalez starred in an astounding 80 silent films in just five years between 1913 and 1917. On this day in 1914, one of Myrtle Gonzalez’s most well-known films, The Level, was released.
Celebrating Myrtle Gonzalez!
Join us in the spirit of giving this December by participating in our Period with Dignity Drive. We are partnering with Fulling Destiny, a nonprofit organization striving to support and empower menstruators experiencing homelessness, by collecting:
Tampons
Sanitary napkins
Feminine wipes
Underwear
Socks
Fulling Destiny’s aim is to decrease monthly worries and provide necessary period products for all. With these actions, they hope to empower those in need and help increase menstruators’ self-esteem, one menstruator at a time.
Drop off the requested items at the WMC Education Center on December 3rd from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Support the Women's Museum of California this gift-giving season by buying WMC t-shirts, sweaters, mugs, and more: https://www.bonfire.com/store/shopwmc/
Suffragist Alice Park was the founder of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Park is most notable for writing the California law that granted women equal rights of guardianship over their children in 1913.
Who tells her story? We do. But we need your help.
Let's work together to increase the visibility of women’s accomplishments in history. When you donate to the Women's Museum of California you support programs that make a difference. https://www.womensmuseumca.org/donate
We had fun with High Tech High students yesterday at the Women's Museum of California! The students explored our exhibit, and learned all about craftivism.
You can book an interactive experience for your class, club, or organization at the Women's Museum on our website: https://www.womensmuseumca.org/workshops
Join the Women's Museum of California every first Saturday of the month for our Walking Tour of Balboa Park. Reserve your spot on our next tour here:
Learn about the women of Balboa Park! Join the Women's Museum of California every first Sunday of the month for a free walking tour of Balboa Park.
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#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory poet and activist Emma Lazarus was born. Emma is best known for her poem “The New Colossus” which is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.
Trailblazer Vicki Estrada is a strong, Latina transgender woman. The renowned landscape architect and urban designer, created some of the most iconic places and spaces in San Diego. A year ago, she was appointed by the governor to the California Arts Council, which provides millons of dollars in grants to support the state's most underfunded communities. Estrada, is also an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ community. In 2006 at the age of 53, Estrada had gender reassignment surgery and wasn't shy about telling the whole world about it. Sandra Maas shares her story.
Celebrate the legacy of Title IX during its 50th anniversary.
[...]Laws made by men, under a government of men, interpreted by men and for the benefit of men. The only chance women have for justice in this country is to violate the law, as I have done, and as I shall continue to do," - Susan B. Anthony #OnThisDay in #WomensHistory Susan B. Anthony's trial for illegally voting in the 1872 presidential election began. She was fined $100. She refused to pay the fine.
How do intervention and prevention programs help to increase the safety of domestic violence victims?
Watch the latest episode of WMC's Emmy nominated series, Trailblazing Women. Americans are reeling with grief, anger, and frustration after the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where two teachers and 19 children were killed by a lone gunman. It’s the deadliest school shooting since the Sandy Hook massacre a decade ago. The tragic event has Trailblazer Wendy Wheatcroft fired up to accomplish what the federal government has failed to do; enact meaningful gun control laws that prevent violence. Wheatcroft is a mother, a teacher, and a longtime gun safety activist. She is also a survivor of gun violence herself. She shared her story and her mission with Sandra Maas as our nation recognizes National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory, suffragist, labor reform advocate, and newspaper owner Victoria Woodhull was nominated as the first woman candidate for U.S. president for the Equal Rights Party.
Mixed martial artist Cat Zingano is one of the top female fighters in the world and among the first generation of women to break into the male-dominated sport. Cat participated in the second female fight in Ultimate Fighting Championship history and was the first woman to win a UFC fight by TKO. She is also the first mother to compete in the UFC. Now signed with Bellator MMA, the 39-year-old warrior is still defeating competitors half her age. But along with her victories, Cat has experienced some very hard knocks; from physical injuries to the devastating loss of her husband to suicide. Sandra Maas shares this trailblazer’s remarkable story of strength.
#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory Sybil Ludington, a 16-year-old during the American Revolution, rode over 40 miles on horseback in the middle of the night to warn the American militia that the British were invading.
Happy #EarthDay! Today we celebrate the women who have played essential roles in protecting the natural world. Successful environmental movements have long relied on women’s abilities to build partnerships, shift public opinions and secure accountability from public officials. What women environmentalist inspires you the most?
#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory in 1939, #MarianAnderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial for a crowd of more than 75,000 people. Anderson was one of the finest contraltos of the twentieth century and she spent her career breaking down barriers for future African American performers. In 1955, Anderson became the first African American singer to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera.
Olga Kovalchuk is among the first wave of Ukrainian refugees welcomed into the US. A single mother of 4, Olga is a strong, accomplished woman who speaks 5 languages and worked as a tutor and translator before fleeing her war torn homeland to save her children. Sadly, her 9-year old daughter was left behind when her ex-husband failed to meet her at the border as promised. Olga shares her harrowing escape filled with heartache and hope with Sandra Maas.
#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory a horrendous fire destroyed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory that occupied the top three floors of the Asch Building in Greenwich Village. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire claimed the lives of 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women and girls, and 23 men. This day will live in infamy in New York City as one of the most tragic scenes of loss of human life, as the garment workers were either burned alive trying to escape or jumped to their death falling to the sidewalk below. The fire started in a scrap bin, although the actual cause is still unknown. The situation was made worse by the practice of locking doors leading in and out of the work area to deter theft, as well as having only one fully working elevator. Many women attempted to use the fire escape, only to have it collapse under their weight and bring them to an untimely and unnecessary death. Following the tragedy, 400,000 people attended a funeral procession for the victims and watched as 120,000 men, women, and children marched in the memory of seven unidentified victims. The Sunday after the fire on April 2, a meeting was held at the Metropolitan Opera House where activist Rose Schneiderman, a leader of the Shirtwaist Makers Union, gave a meaningful speech on deplorable working conditions in factories, the dreadful loss of young lives, and what that meant to New York City garment workers. This meeting and the work of the New York Factory Investigative Commission, led to thirty-six of the new labor related bills that were adopted by the state legislature. This helped transform the labor code in New York State. Frances Perkins, then Head of the New York Consumers League, witnessed the incident alongside numerous bystanders. She was stirred to action and left her post at the Consumers League and became Executive Secretary for the Committee on Safety for the City of New York. Later she would be appointed Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt where she s
"I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!" #OnThisDay in #WomensHistory Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls together in Savannah, Georgia, for the first-ever Girl Scout meeting. Low envisioned an organization that would bring girls out of their homes to serve their communities, experience the outdoors, and have the opportunity to develop "self-reliance and resourcefulness." Today the organization describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls."
International Women's Day is celebrated to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.
Happy #internationalwomensday! Today we celebrate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women around the world.
#OnThisDay in #WomensHistory Jeannette Rankin took her seat as the first female member of Congress. Jeannette Rankin decided to run for office in 1916 for one of the open Montana House seats. In total, she ended up serving two terms in Congress, in 1917-1919 and in 1941-1942. She served a memorable two terms as a passionate suffragist. Rankin was instrumental in passing the 19th amendment, ensuring that women across the country would be able to vote. Rankin, as the only women in Congress, was instrumental in passing the 19th amendment, which was ultimately passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920. She was appointed the head of Committee of Women’s Suffrage and she opened up the very first House floor debate on the 19th amendment by questioning the Congressmen’s commitment to democracy: “How shall we answer the challenge, gentlemen? How shall we explain to them the meaning of democracy if the same Congress that voted to make the world safe for democracy refuses to give this small measure of democracy to the women of our country?”
Journalist Gretchen Carlson says her decision to call out Fox News and one of the most powerful men in broadcasting for sexual harassment was one of the scariest moments of her life. While a non-disclosure agreement prevents Carlson from discussing what happened her action led to a 20-million dollar settlement and helped propel the #MeToo movement to national attention. Former Fox News analyst and women’s rights advocate Julie Roginsky experienced the same fate as a result of her own sexual harassment lawsuit against the network. Through their nonprofit "Lift Our Voices", the two are now working to ensure other women who experience abuse in the workplace are never silenced. They shared what they can about their stories with Sandra Maas, along with their mission to help empower women. -- Join Women's Museum of California board member, Sandra Maas as she shares the stories of inspiring, visionary and daring women who are leading the way and making a difference in their communities, careers and the lives of others. Whether ordinary or extraordinary, we all have a compelling story to share.
It is time to say goodbye to 2021, and what a year it has been! With your support, we've been able to continue to fulfill our mission to educate and inspire present and future generations about the experiences and contributions of diverse women by collecting, preserving, and interpreting their stories. None of this is possible without your support, so thank you for being an important part of the Women's Museum of California family. We are excited to kick off 2022 with more impactful programs, exhibits, and events. And if you haven't made your 2021 donation yet, you can still help us continue our mission of educating generations about the experiences of diverse women in 2022. There are still a few hours left to make a charitable gift. Your gift to the Women's Museum of California will impact today and future generations. https://www.womensmuseumca.org/donate
As the highest ranking woman at the San Diego Police Department, Assistant Chief Sandra Albrektsen has seen and done it all. From chasing down the bad guys to delivering babies, it's never a dull moment. But respect for policewomen from the community and even some fellow officers wasn't something that came easily at the start of her career. In this Trailblazing Women episode, Chief Albrektsen shares the struggles she's overcome on the job, the tips that helped her balance her marriage and family life and her new mission to help the department recruit more women.
California is the number one state for human trafficking in the US. And Jamie Beck is on a mission to help survivors take back their lives. She left her job at a top San Diego law firm almost 5 years ago to start the nonprofit "Free to Thrive," which provides free legal and support services to victims of sex and labor trafficking. Along with helping hundreds of survivors regain their footing, Jamie also made a surprising life change herself. Sandra Maas caught up with her.
Our annual keynote panel discussion for our film festival invites activists and filmmakers to lead a discussion on the film industry's systemic discrimination of female filmmakers, representation in film (including roles for women both in front of and behind the camera), how the industry is (or is not) changing, the influence of Time's Up and #MeToo, and how movie audience can support women in the industry. Support women filmmakers around the world. Watch over 20 women-directed films through September 26: https://www.womensfilmfestivalsandiego.com/passes
When you purchase a pass to the Women's Film Festival San Diego you support women filmmakers from all over the world. Purchase your pass and stream films until September 26: https://www.womensfilmfestivalsandiego.com/passes
As America grieves the loss of more than a dozen U.S troops and many more injured in the deadly attack in Kabul, Lt. Cmdr. Amy Forsythe, U.S. Navy Reserve knows firsthand, the risks and heartache that come with military service. Serving 3 combat tours in Afghanistan as a military correspondent, she took shots behind the camera and in front of it, documenting one of the longest wars in American History. Lt. Forsythe also forged meaningful connections with the Afghan people; especially women and girls. Sandra Maas spoke with the San Diego County veteran about her experience as one of the few women in combat as well as the recent fall of Afghanistan and the Taliban’s take over of their government. -- Join Women's Museum of California board member, Sandra Maas as she shares the stories of inspiring, visionary and daring women who are leading the way and making a difference in their communities, careers and the lives of others. Whether ordinary or extraordinary, we all have a compelling story to share.
Our mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations about the experiences and contributions of women by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the evidence of that experience. The Women's Museum of California is one of only three stand alone museums of women's history in the country.
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