Women’s History Month

It's Women's History Month, and the Oakland History Center is recognizing the achievements of Oakland women.

 

Women have long collaborated with one another to get things done, well before they had the right to vote or other basic rights. Since the earliest decades of our city's formation, women have been carving out spaces to gather, to educate, and to organize for the future of our communities.

EVENTS

Events

The Oakland History Center collects materials from many groups who have informed our city's history. In our archival collections and vertical files, you can find more information on the following topics:  The Women’s Suffrage Movement, women’s clubs such as the Rockridge Woman’s Club, resource centers and shelters founded by women and more. 

Oakland History Center

Dancers from the "Light" themed Christmas Pageant.

Louise Jorgensen / Christmas Pageant collection, 1910-1999

Louise Jorgensen is most remembered as director and choreographer of the Oakland Christmas Pageant.
T.W.A hostess Joan Ellis admires the Ina Coolbrith Circle's laurel wreath in honor of Lord Byron. Mr. C. Jones Tyler flew the wreath to Britain, to be placed on Byron's grave, in July 1952.

Ina Coolbrith Circle collection, 1925-1996

Newsletters, scrapbooks, correspondence, and other materials relating to the Ina Coolbrith Circle.

Elizabeth Scott Flood: Early Oakland Educator

In honor of Women's History Month, we introduce Elizabeth Scott Flood who championed education for Oakland's children of color.
Decorations from a "Tiptoe through the Tulips" themed dance, April 2012.

Home Club collection, 1904-2015

The collection includes Home Club histories, administrative records, announcement bulletins, scrapbooks/photo albums, and photographs.

Videos

"For the Advancement of Women" Oakland Women's Club Movement

Women's organizations have led the way in advancing Oakland's cultural and philanthropic life.

Black Women and Political Leadership

Oakland History Center librarian Dorothy Lazard & guests discuss the influence of Black women in political leadership over the past decade.

Schedule your 1-on-1 with an OHC librarian & access rare collections!

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MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Special collections include:

  • Women of Color Resource Center
  • Women's Suffrage Movement
  • A Safe Place (an Oakland women's shelter for survivors of domestic violence)
  • Oakland Women's Rowing Club
  • Women in World War II
  • Chinese Young Women's Society of Oakland
  • Women in various fields such as aviation, medicine, and business

Appointments are recommended, but not required. ☺

Questions? (510) 238-3134 ohc@oaklandlibrary.org

Book Lists

Feminist AF

Teen fiction with strong main character energy.

Remarkable Oakland Women

Women throughout Oakland's history have always broken the mold. Here are some of their stories.

Middle Grade Moxie

Fiction about strong young women to enjoy for Women's History Month and onward.

Women's History All Year Long

Celebrate Women's history all year long with this list of picture books! Check back through the year as we add more great titles.

Books, films, music, archives, and more!

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