View women’s history through the lens of unbiased accuracy

Whiny. Catty. Chatty. Thin- skinned. Fickle. Fussy. Testy. Touchy. Such are but a few of the lingering and oftentimes demeaning gender stereotypes that have burdened women in our region, our country and our world for centuries. Sexual bias and social generalizations also have grossly distorted and unfairly marginalized women’s rightful and paramount place in history.

Thus as our nation begins its observance of Women’s History Month this week, it’s an opportune time to cast aside the stereotypes, recognize the pivotal role of women in our nation’s past and commit to tearing down walls that continue to stunt the full potential of women in enriching our communities and our country.

HOW IT STARTED

The birth of Women’s History Month took place in 1987 after the National Women’s History Project had lobbied the federal government for seven years, arguing in part that the observance was needed because less than 5 percent of content in standard American history textbooks focused on women. Clearly women’s contributions to our heritage merit more than a 5 percent slice of the American pie.

In the ensuing quarter-century, women have received more ink in those texts, but, as in many other spheres, they continue to struggle to play catch-up. According to a 2011 study in the Journal Yesterday and Today, researchers Annie Chiponda and Johan Wassermann concluded that women continue to be “portrayed as historically unimportant and incapable, contributing little to society outside of the domestic sphere.”

This month’s observance serves as a concrete foundation on which to debunk such myths. As President Barack Obama eloquently put it in proclaiming Women’s History Month, “Throughout our nation’s history, American women have led movements for social and economic justice, made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, enriched our culture with stunning works of art and literature, and charted bold directions in our foreign policy.”

One needn’t look far to find-real life stories that illustrate the president’s proclamation. In our community, consider Catherine Dougherty Hillman, who in the late 18th century helped to build the first log cabin, the first frame house and the first tavern in downtown Youngstown. Consider the pioneer spirit of Margaret Van Horn Dwight, great-grandmother of Sir Winston Churchill, who braved the relentless elements in traveling from Connecticut to Warren, Ohio, in the early 1800s to help establish the capital of the Western Reserve. Consider the soaring feat of Youngstowner Mary Ann Campana, who on June 4, 1933, set the world’s light airplane endurance record of 12 hours, 27 minutes flying over Youngstown. Or in more modern times, consider Dora Schwebel, who singlehandedly beat the odds of a Great Depression and gender discrimination to make the bakery of her name one of the largest and most respected in our three-state region.

ACTIVITIES ABOUND ALL MONTH

They and many other unsung female heroes of our region and nation too often have been upstaged by neglect, bias or both. Over the next month, opportunities abound for Valley residents to immerse themselves in the history and cultural dynamics of women. Among them:

Youngstown State University’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program has amassed a set of lectures, film screenings and women’s health events in a series titled “Sexy or Sexist?” (See full schedule today on Page A6).

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will present “Uncaged: Extraordinary Women of the Civil War” a lecture by Traci Manning at its Poland branch at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The library’s main branch features a Women’s History Month Trivia Contest daily for teens and adults.

Make an appointment to visit the Suffrage Museum of the Harriet Taylor Upton House in Warren, once home of the national treasurer of the movement to win women the right to vote in the early 20th century.

In exploring these and other enlightening options this month, accuracy and appreciation can replace inequity and stereotype in understanding the critical role women have played in our history and the increasingly dominant role they are playing in making history.