County Libraries To Celebrate Women's History Month This March

Press release from Somerset County Library System of New Jersey:

Feb. 11, 2021

January 20, 2021, marked a historic milestone in women’s history when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female vice-president of the United States. This March, celebrate the legacy and history of all women with the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ).

“Last year, women around the country were planning to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of female suffrage,” said Christine Madrid, Somerset County Library commission vice chair. “Because of the pandemic, those festivities and important conversations, to a certain extent, were put on hold.”

She continued, “Luckily, every March we are given the renewed opportunity to celebrate women’s history - the great achievements of women in Somerset County, of women across the United States, and of women throughout the world. I am excited to participate in and support the many rich, educational programs that the Library System will be presenting throughout this month.”

This Women’s History Month, the Library System will host a variety of virtual programs that will explore the accomplishments and contributions of females throughout history, including two virtual author visits that will explore the life and times of the late, iconic Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on September 18, 2020.

Debbie Levy, the author of the graphic novel for youth ages 8 and up, "Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice," and the best-selling picture book for youth ages 5 and up, "I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark," will share her experiences writing about the supreme court justice with Library customers of all ages on March 10 at 1 p.m.

“Before I started researching and writing about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I knew that she had been the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States; the first Jewish woman on the Supreme Court; a federal appeals court judge; and one of leading lawyers in the field of equal rights for women and girls,” said Levy. “What I didn’t know, until I started researching more deeply, is that she had been disagreeing with unfairness from the time she was a little girl.”

She continued, “She turned her disagreements into action, and went on to change minds and change the world. I realized that the story of her life offered inspiring lessons. How could I not write not one, but two, books about her?”

In addition to Levy’s all ages program, author Antonia Felix will delve into her book “The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Icon” on March 24 at 7 p.m. During the program, Felix will connect with adult Library customers as she honors the barrier-breaking achievements of Ginsburg.

“While writing about several prominent women has been inspiring and illuminating, writing about Ruth Bader Ginsburg was particularly special for me,” said Felix. “I was not aware of the tremendous impact she has had on our society through her brilliant and successful approach to eliminating gender discrimination from the law. All of us, both men and women, owe her a huge debt of gratitude for making our society more fair and equitable.”

“Perhaps no more lasting symbol represents Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg than the iconic lace collars she wore to dress up her long black judicial robes,” said Linda Tripp, collection development librarian. “The image of mourners wearing their own lace collars in tribute to her at one of the many impromptu memorials after her death last September represents the particular impact she had on young girls and women around the world. She was a seminal figure in the legal world and an enduring role model for all.”

Discover Ginsburg’s legacy in these books and films available in the Library’s collection:
Children, tweens, and teens

• “Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice” by Debbie Levy
• “Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work” by Victoria Ortiz
• “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark” by Debbie Levy
• “No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Kathleen Krull
• “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Irin Carmon
• “Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Sara Spiller
• “Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality” by Jonah Winter
• “Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Doreen Rappaport
• “Who Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg?” by Paticia Demuth

Adults

• “Conversations With RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law” by Jeffrey Rosen
• “My Own Words” by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Irin Carmon
• “The RBG Workout/How She Stays Strong ... and You Can Too!” by Bryant Johnson
• “Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life” by Jane Sherron De Hart
• “Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World” by Linda R. Hirshman
• “The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Icon” by Antonia Felix

Films

• “On the Basis of Sex”
• “RBG”

In the spirit of highlighting the supreme court justice’s life and accomplishments, the Library System will also host programs that focus on other iconic and influential figures in women’s history including Amelia Earhart, Louisa May Alcott, and Catherine the Great.

“It is with great pride that in observance and celebration of Women’s History Month, the Library System is able to connect our customers with a diverse offering of virtual programs,” said Cindy Mangel, manager of branch services, adult learning and community engagement, public services. “These programs are presented by talented storytellers, accomplished writers, museum educators, academic researchers, and spirited actors. The programs offer the opportunity to discover some of the most distinguished women throughout history and contemporary times.”

Connect with virtual programs
Quilting Over the Centuries - Women's Life and History in America (adults): March 1, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4570632.
Amelia Earhart - The Power of One (adults): March 2, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4516004.
New Jersey Women in World War II - Presented by Dr. Patricia Chappine (adults): March 3, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4551443.
The Lowell Mill Girls - Organized Labor and the First Strikes in America (adults): March 4, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4513364.
Girl Power - Block-Based Coding (grades 4-8): March 8, 5-6 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4718126.
Lydia Darragh Quaker Spy of the Revolution - Presented by Dr. Jack Briggs (adults): March 9, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4515548.

Meet the Author:

• Debbie Levy - Writing RBG (all ages): March 10, 1-2 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4644913.
• Antonia Felix "The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg - American Icon" (adults): March 24, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4642381.

Women at Work Paterson Silk Strike of 1913 - Presented by the American Labor Museum (adults): March 11, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4624414.

We Can Do It - American Women In History (all ages): March 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4651434.

Meet Catherine the Great - A Woman of Her Time, Russian Czarina of the 18th Century (adults): March 18, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4549056.

“The Fact That I Was a Girl…” - Willa Cather's Unconventional Life (adults): March 22, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4564595.

A Virtual Visit With Louisa May Alcott - Performed by American Historical Theatre (all ages): March 25, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4553334.

Scent, Style, and Culture - Five Iconic Fragrances of the 20th Century (adults): March 30, 7-8 p.m. Register now: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4568379.

Celebrate women year-round with your Library: SCLSNJ.org.

This press release was produced by the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey. The views expressed here are the author's own.