It's Women's History Month, and the Oakland History Center is recognizing the achievements of Oakland women.
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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
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.Â
Oakland History Center
Louise Jorgensen / Christmas Pageant collection, 1910-1999
Louise Jorgensen is most remembered as director and choreographer of the Oakland Christmas Pageant.
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.
Home Club collection, 1904-2015
The collection includes Home Club histories, administrative records, announcement bulletins, scrapbooks/photo albums, and photographs.
Louise Jorgensen / Christmas Pageant collection, 1910-1999
Louise Jorgensen is most remembered as director and choreographer of the Oakland Christmas Pageant.
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.
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.
Invitation to September 1959 luncheon, Women's Civic Club (Oakland)
Pamphlet advertising the Oakland-based social group "Women in Harmony" (1996)
Bulletin, Women's City Club of Oakland and the East Bay Inc., May 1941
Newsletter from Oakland women's shelter, A Safe Place, Summer 1984
Member handbook, League of Women Voters of Oakland, October 1980
Schedule your 1-on-1 with an OHC librarian & access rare collections!
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.
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.
