Up to middle school. We don’t want to traumatize children. We shield them from violence and extreme realities of life, and history.
Let’s emphasize role models. Women who have done wonderful things for society.
The fact that these women overcame obstacles is secondary. What we emphasize here are positives: ambition, persistence, courage. Moxie. They are heroines, and I (a girl) can aspire to become a woman like them.
I personally love biographies: life stories of how a girl became a woman and then a heroine in history. I don’t need to be a heroine myself, but I (a girl) need to know that it is a choice that other women made, AND THEY SUCCEEDED.
For example:
Harriet Tubman
Rosa Parks
Sojourner Truth
Sacagawea
Marie Curie
Sally Ride
Sonya Sotomayor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Alexandra David-Neel
Madame Blavatsky
Michelle Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Serena Williams
Here are some search strategies:
“famous black women”
“famous Native American women”
“famous Latinas”
“famous women in history”
“famous women in science”
Their stories will inevitably tell about obstacles in their way as women. But the stories tell of obstacles OVERCOME. The heroines CLAIM the opportunity. They don’t back off. They PERSIST.
A common message is: “Don’t listen when you hear that girls are not allowed. They allow themselves.”
You get the picture. See if there is a BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN for your favorite female heroines. Search Amazon on her name.
See the section BIOGRAPHIES OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (ROLE MODELS) for links to places that list books for children. http://www.momox.org/women-se-resources.html
The National Women’s History Project has resources for children: https://shop.nwhp.org/childrens-resources-c210.aspx
For example, the book A is for Abigail, From A to Z “This wonderfully illustrated children's book introduces a wide array of women in American history. Each colorful page of the alphabet is filed to the brim with pictures and words that celebrate remarkable achievements of American women. 36 pages, hardcover, enjoyable for all ages.” https://shop.nwhp.org/a-is-for-abigail-p4703.aspx
Or https://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/
Soooo:
Is your girl prepared for her interview with Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby yet?
Let’s emphasize role models. Women who have done wonderful things for society.
The fact that these women overcame obstacles is secondary. What we emphasize here are positives: ambition, persistence, courage. Moxie. They are heroines, and I (a girl) can aspire to become a woman like them.
I personally love biographies: life stories of how a girl became a woman and then a heroine in history. I don’t need to be a heroine myself, but I (a girl) need to know that it is a choice that other women made, AND THEY SUCCEEDED.
For example:
Harriet Tubman
Rosa Parks
Sojourner Truth
Sacagawea
Marie Curie
Sally Ride
Sonya Sotomayor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Alexandra David-Neel
Madame Blavatsky
Michelle Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Serena Williams
Here are some search strategies:
“famous black women”
“famous Native American women”
“famous Latinas”
“famous women in history”
“famous women in science”
Their stories will inevitably tell about obstacles in their way as women. But the stories tell of obstacles OVERCOME. The heroines CLAIM the opportunity. They don’t back off. They PERSIST.
A common message is: “Don’t listen when you hear that girls are not allowed. They allow themselves.”
You get the picture. See if there is a BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN for your favorite female heroines. Search Amazon on her name.
See the section BIOGRAPHIES OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (ROLE MODELS) for links to places that list books for children. http://www.momox.org/women-se-resources.html
The National Women’s History Project has resources for children: https://shop.nwhp.org/childrens-resources-c210.aspx
For example, the book A is for Abigail, From A to Z “This wonderfully illustrated children's book introduces a wide array of women in American history. Each colorful page of the alphabet is filed to the brim with pictures and words that celebrate remarkable achievements of American women. 36 pages, hardcover, enjoyable for all ages.” https://shop.nwhp.org/a-is-for-abigail-p4703.aspx
Or https://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/
Soooo:
Is your girl prepared for her interview with Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby yet?
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