It's wonderful that we have a whole month dedicated to Women's History, and incredible to have such a powerful reminder to the girls in our lives (and ourselves) that women were not passive in the creation of history, despite what omissions may have occurred in history books and lessons. They have been, and will always be, active catalysts for change. When I asked my PBS Utah colleagues who their Women's History Icons were and why, here is what they said!

Kelleigh Helm, Director of Major Giving - "I think Emma Gatewoodhas an amazing story. First female solo hiker of the AT (Appalachian Trail) at 67."
Cheryl Niederhauser, Production Assistant - "Mae Jemison, first black woman in space!"
Elisabeth Dee, Membership Specialist - "Marsha P. Johnson! For her activism at Stonewall and beyond. Oh and Dolly Parton, of course."
J.R. Hardmen, Associate Producer - "Rosetta Wakeman,Maria Lewis, Francis Clayton, andLoreta Janeta Velazquezwomen soldiers of the Civil War.  Also, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a pioneer of women's dress reform, and still the only female recipient of the Medal of Honor.  And also all these amazing women."
Liz Adeola, Producer & Host -Dr. Marian Croak. "It would have been an even more brutal pandemic without her inventions mainly Voice over Internet Protocol, tech that allows us to use FaceTime, Zoom, and even Teams. And also it goes without saying, Angela Bassett!"
Danielle Bastian, Marketing Project Manager & Copywriter - "Eleanor Roosevelt for her work in human rights."
Kelton Wells, Executive Producer - "Lots of people know about Martha Hughes Cannon, the first woman elected to the Utah State Legislature (also the first woman state senator in the country). But another woman who made history in Utah politics was Reva Beck Bosone. She was the first woman from Utah elected to serve in Congress, and it happened all the way back in 1948. Bosone served two terms, from 1949 until 1953. Utah wouldn't have another woman in Congress for another 40 years until Karen Shepherd took office in 1993. There's also Emmeline B. Wellswho was a leader in the women's suffrage movement in Utah. She was a contemporary of Martha Hughes Cannon, and there are photos of her with Susan B. Anthony."
Melanie Pehrson-Noyce, Education Coordinator - "I have just learned a little bit about Mileva Einstein-Maric, first wife of Albert Einstein and accomplished physicist in her own right. I am excited to dive into learning more about her! I also just finished reading I Am Malala, which was fantastic."
Andrea Karlinsey, Membership Benefits Coordinator - "Salma Hayek and Lupita Nyong'o."
J.R. Hardmen, Associate Producer - "I just learned about her only a few weeks ago, but Madeline Anderson was the first Black woman to create a televised documentary. And Alice Guy-Blachéwas the first woman to direct a film during the silent film era. There's an amazing documentary about her that I saw in Cannes a few years ago."
Annie Frazier, Education Program Manager - "Harriett Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Alanis Morissette, Sally Ride, Rosa Parks, andMichelle Obama."

These are just a few women in history whose impact are profound. 

Books are also powerful tools in shaping inner narratives and providing powerful role models. Check out the collections below for more book recommendations to find at your local library or beef up your own home library. 

Some other favorites for my own strong-willed, book loving 3 year old have been Dress Like A Girl by Patricia Toht and Lorien Tu-Dean, Not Little by Maya Myers and Hyewon Yum, and A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman and Peggy Collins. We absolutely adored Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy. Feel free to share what books YOU have particularly enjoyed.

 

Looking for more ideas to celebrate Women's History Month with PBS?

• Sesame Street is honoring the inspiring and powerful women and girls who've helped support Sesame Street's mission of helping kids grow Smarter, Stronger and Kinder with a Women's History Month Youtube Playlist.

• Watch Arthur's A Word from Us Kids: Famous Women 

• Newly released, Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special, is set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, where tomorrow’s leaders are groomed, GIRL TALK tells the compelling and timely story of five girls on a top-ranked Massachusetts high school debate team as they strive to become the best debaters in the United States.

• For for a deeper dive, check out these Trailblazing Women in Music as well as this Women's History Month watch guide.
  
  
  What are some other ways you can celebrate the women of history? What books related to Women's History Month do you love? Who are your Women's History Icons? Share them with us on social media!