Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others. – Amelia Earhart
History is filled with intelligent, powerful, and inspirational women who have been pioneers for women’s rights and defined the worlds of entertainment, science, sports, and literature.
This month, we celebrate the fearless women who broke the rules—the teachers, scientists, leaders, politicians, mathematicians, authors, and artists—and inspired generations to come.
Use your MCPL Access Pass (Library Card) to explore these materials and resources or apply for a free card today.
History Programs
The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. —Jane Austen
Women have created literature and history for centuries. Whether the fictional tales of marriage and status, the inspired and profound prose of a poet, or the letters of real women entailing their struggles and hopes, their stories are the stories of human existence.
Amelia Earhart: The Woman Behind the Airplane
Amelia Earhart: The Woman Behind the Airplane
This program was presented in March 2024.
Discover the woman behind the adventurous aviator. Hear stories of her childhood, learn about her accomplishments outside the cockpit, and explore the theories surrounding her mysterious disappearance.
Before Rosie: The Women of the Great War
Before Rosie: The Women of the Great War
This program was presented in March 2024.
From raising funds at home to serving as nurses, women stepped up to support, fight in, or fight against the war effort with patriotism.
Kansas City Women of Independent Minds
Kansas City Women of Independent Minds
This program was presented in March 2024.
Meet women who were integral to Kansas City and Jackson County including Mme. Chouteau, Loula Long Combs, Lucile Bluford, and Mattie Rhodes.
Rights & Equality
I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls. – Malala Yousafzai
Known around the world by just her first name, Malala’s story has inspired millions. Celebrate her and other women who made their mark through their intelligence and integrity, as well as their intrepid spirits.
Alice Neel: Portraits, Politics, and Power
Alice Neel: Portraits, Politics, and Power
This program was presented in March 2024.
Alice Neel was one of the great American painters of the Twentieth Century and a pioneer among women artists.
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies provides balanced coverage of this significant aspect of culture and society. The database offers access to scholarly journals and magazines covering topics including gender studies, family and marital issues, and more.
Gerritsen Collection of Aletta H. Jacobs
Gerritsen Collection of Aletta H. Jacobs
The Gerritsen Collection is a women's history collection of periodicals, books, pamphlets, and more. Much of this collection is primary source material otherwise available only in a few rare book rooms around the world.
Art & Entertainment
We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right. –Aretha Franklin
Whether the queen of soul or the queen of the court, women have made their mark on the world of sports and entertainment.
Hit Songs and Stories of the Women of Vaudeville
Hit Songs and Stories of the Women of Vaudeville
This program was presented in March 2024.
Many women singers of the early 1900s had strong roots in vaudeville. This made for some fun, sweet, and saucy music! The Ain’t Misbehavins' will talk briefly about these incredible women and perform some of their songs which have become blues or jazz standards that are still played in clubs today.
Hattie McDaniel and Viola Davis: Makers of Hollywood History
Hattie McDaniel and Viola Davis: Makers of Hollywood History
This program was presented in March 2024.
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American actress to win an Academy Award. Viola Davis is one of the few who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Learn more about these two noted actresses.
Backwards in Heels: The Legacy of Ginger Rogers
Backwards in Heels: The Legacy of Ginger Rogers
This program was presented in March 2024.
Ginger Rogers is one-half of the most iconic dancing duo in cinematic history, dancing her way through many beloved films while challenging herself with other performance styles and on-screen innovations.
Celebrating Women's History Month
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Sensational
Sensational
Female Innovators Who Changed Our World
Female Innovators Who Changed Our World
Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie
Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie
The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line
The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line
Firsts
Firsts
The Girl Explorers
The Girl Explorers
Renegade Women in Film & TV
Renegade Women in Film & TV
Come Fly the World
Come Fly the World
A Woman's Place
A Woman's Place
Good Girls Don't Make History
Good Girls Don't Make History
The Agitators
The Agitators
Vanguard
Vanguard
Southern Women
Southern Women
In Praise of Difficult Women
In Praise of Difficult Women
