Libraries might just be the most perfect places on earth. Stepping into a library, with the world's knowledge and creativity at our fingertips, fills us with a sense of limitless potential. Unsurprisingly, women have been at the forefront of making these beacons of possibility available for all to enjoy. From teachers to librarians to philanthropists, women have founded or inspired the founding of libraries across the country, and their contributions have not gone unappreciated. Here is the second half (click here for the first half) of our list of public libraries in the U.S. that are named after women -- and this STILL isn't all of them! If you don't see your local library anywhere on this list, that means I couldn't find any info about the library's namesake. But I'd love to add it, so feel free to drop me a line with some deets! Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library 606 Delsea Dr. • Sewell, NJ In 1965, the Whitman Square Women's Club began lobbying for the construction of a public library. The original building was opened a year later, growing and relocating over the decades until it found its current home in 2011. The library was renamed in 1983 in honor of Margaret Heggan, a well known community member who volunteered not only 20,000+ hours at the library, but also with the town's very first Girl Scout troop, the PTA, Kennedy Memorial Hospital, the Historical Society, and more. Oh -- and did I mention she was also the first female mayor of Washington Township?
Photos via wtps.org and hegganlibrary.org Libraries might just be the most perfect places on earth. Stepping into a library, with the world's knowledge and creativity at our fingertips, fills us with a sense of limitless potential. After scouring the list of public libraries at librarytechnology.org and losing myself down several fascinating rabbit holes, I am happy to announce that, unsurprisingly, women have been at the forefront of making these beacons of possibility available for all to enjoy. From teachers to librarians to philanthropists, women have founded or inspired the founding of libraries across the country, and their contributions have not gone unappreciated. In fact, there are so many public libraries in the U.S. named after women that I'm splitting this post into two bite-sized parts -- and this isn't even all of them! Ainsworth Public Library 2338 VT Route 14 • Williamstown, VT In 1911, Williamstown, VT was in a strange way when it came to libraries. Not only did the two existing library groups operate out of stores, homes, and the Town Hall, but there weren't really enough books to go around. So every quarter the men who ran the two groups would hold an auction, bidding for inventory to circulate among its members. (Sounds like the kind of system a bunch of dudes would come up with!) Enter Laura Ainsworth. She offered both property and funds to build a library, with the condition that all the books be housed under one roof. Share!
Photo via facebook You probably don't need me to tell you that graphic novels are HUGE right now. Everything from To Kill A Mockingbird to Anne of Green Gables has been rereleased as a graphic novel, and six of Amazon's top fifty best-selling books of 2019 were of that genre (that's 12%!). So it should come as no surprise that graphic biographies are trending as well. Not only are these great for getting non-fiction books in the hands of resistant readers, graphic biographies can be an effective tool in getting boys to learn about historic women when they might otherwise be reluctant to do so. Below is a list of some speech-bubbletastic Awesome Women bios -- but be warned!! Not all of these are intended for children. Please review all books before passing them on to young readers. Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield Written by Allison Lassieur • Illustrated by Brian Bascle Recommended Age Group: 9-12 Angel of the Battlefield is the first of several on this list from the Graphic Library series, published by Capstone Press. With realistic paintings, this book closely traces Clara Barton's growth from nurturing child to courageous nurse to Red Cross royalty.
After the success of last year's biopic Harriet and HBO's miniseries Catherine the Great, studios finally seem to be taking the hint about all of the screen-worthy -- and true -- female-led stories that are out there. From beauty queens to millionaires to Nobel Prize winners, here's a sneak peek at the inspiring and powerful movies, television shows, and documentaries set to come out this year that feature the lives of real women (in order of release date): Miss Americana Release Date: January 23, 2020 Netflix's documentary about Taylor Swift, Miss Americana, traces the star's rise from singer to industry powerhouse. It debuts at the Sundance Film Festival in January, and although sources say it will be available on the streaming platform "soon" after that, the actual date hasn't been announced yet.
Looking ahead into 2020, there are lots of reasons to smile. For starters, we've got the hundredth anniversary of America getting its act together and granting women the right to vote by ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment. (At least on paper. Black women in the South had a longer fight ahead of them...) This centennial is being celebrated not only with parades and speeches, but with nearly 600 female candidates (and counting!) running for office in this year's election. Who knows -- we might even have our first female president! If it's empowered movie heroines you're looking for, 2020 is a banner year for you, too, with eight of the top ten most anticipated movies featuring female leads -- including a woman as 007 in the newest James Bond film. Oh, and that top ten movie list? Half of them are also directed by women. But for us library nerds, it's the slew of upcoming book releases that really makes us giddy, and 2020 is giving us a lot to be excited about. Here's a list of twenty books by and about Awesome Women that will be coming out this year: Patricia's Vision Written by Michelle Lord • Illustrated by Alleanna Harris Release Date: January 7, 2020 We at AWL were deeply saddened by Dr. Patricia Bath's passing last year, but we're glad to see that this new picture book biography is coming out to share her inspiring story. Judging from the excerpt available on Amazon, Patricia's Vision looks like a beautiful tribute, featuring her many accomplishments, such as her groundbreaking invention of laser surgery for cataracts.
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