Scotch Plains Library to Host Women's History Month Programming

The Scotch Plains Public Library will be presenting two special programs in March, in recognition of Women’s History Month and of the 2020 centennial of women gaining the right to vote.

On Thursday, March 19 at 7 pm, Dr. Lucia McMahon of William Paterson University will present “The Movement is a Sort of Mosaic: A History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.” Prof. McMahon will look at the suffrage movement in the context of the diverse forms of community activism that 19th century women were engaged in, including abolitionism, temperance, educational access, married women’s property rights, and dress reform. This program is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Registration is strongly recommended.

On Monday, March 23 at 7 pm, Professor Jason Martinek of New Jersey City University returns to present “Teenage Girls Can Change the World: What We Can Learn from the 19th Century Mill Girls.” Professor Martinek will discuss the activism of the young women who were at the forefront of the workers’ rights movement in the 1820s and 1830s. These textile mill girls made invaluable contributions to the early labor movement and to the country as a whole. Registration is recommended.

For more information about these programs or to register, stop by the Adult Services desk, go to www.scotlib.org/events, email library@scotlib.org, or call (908) 322-5007 x 204. The Scotch Plains Library is located at 1927 Bartle Avenue, one block from Park Avenue in the center of town.