The Women's Museum

Announcement from The Women's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:39:00 +0000

After celebrating over a decade of empowering women and girls, The Women's Museum is launching an important process of reviewing our long-term goals in order to continue to provide the maximum impact to the community and nation as a re-constituted women's organization. As part of this process, we are closing our current facility in Fair Park on October 31, 2011.

The Women's Museum board of directors and staff would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to everyone who has supported the Museum through the years. Through donations, volunteerism, activism, visiting the Museum, and the many other important ways, we have been able to tell the stories of American women's history. We understand how difficult it is to learn that a facility you have supported will close. We appreciate the letters and emails our supporters have sent the past couple weeks. We invite you to share your stories of your trips to The Women's Museum with us by emailing them to info@thewomensmuseum.org.

We have been honored to be a part of the Fair Park community and will be providing FREE ADMISSION to all from October 25 – 30. We hope to see you to celebrate the past decade of showcasing the accomplishments of women in American history with us. After the reviewing process is over, we will be excited to share the new vision of the organization with our supporters.

Sincerely,
The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future

Directions to The Women's Museum (driving and public transportation)
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Announcement from The Women's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:33:00 +0000

The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future announces today it is beginning a new phase in its mission to promote women and girls, focusing on the Institute for the Future division of the organization. The Museum will begin a process called Imagine the Possibilities, seeking community input to guide its future plans. The goal is to continue providing insightful and needed experiences for women and girls that complement, not duplicate, activities of other women’s organizations. Part of this new phase will be closing the existing facility after October 31, 2011. Following the re-creation process, the organization will announce Phase Two of its organization.

Through the past decade, The Women’s Museum has been honored to provide impactful, educational programs for women and girls within the DFW Metroplex, and throughout the nation. With the support of the City of Dallas and located in the City’s beautiful art deco facility in Fair Park, the Museum has provided Dallas citizen’s access to the history of women in America in an interactive and engaging format.

“The Women’s Museum could not have honored and recognized the accomplishments of women without assistance from its supporters,” said Liz Minyard, president of the board of directors at The Women’s Museum. “We are particularly thankful for the large Dallas corporate sponsors and so many foundations and individuals – including the numerous founding donors. We are now eager to explore the possibilities of the refocused organization. After extensive community input, we look forward to continuing to have a direct impact in the lives of women and girls in the future.”

More than a dozen years ago, a group of Texas women dedicated themselves to helping women reach their full potential. They set out open a space to would honor the accomplishments of women throughout our nation, and inspire future women and girls as well. In 2000, their dream became a reality with the founding of The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future, the nation’s first national women history museum and affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Over 1.5 million people have visited the Museum since the opening the doors in Fair Park, September 29, 2000. Programs, including Texas Girls’ State Fair and Summer Enrichment Camps, have provided the needed inspiration for girls in the Dallas area; and, exhibits, including First Ladies and Annie Leibovitz:Women, bought national-acclaimed exhibits to North Texas audiences.

In honor of our supporters, The Women’s Museum is offering FREE admission October 25 – 30, during normal operating hours.

The Women’s Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation’s only comprehensive women’s history museum that chronicles the lives of American women through interactive exhibits. The Women's Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. (closed Mondays). For more information, please visit www.thewomensmuseum.org.

Women and Men of the Suffrage Movement in the United States, O-Z

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:38:00 +0000

This post is the second of two posts dedicated to learning about the women and men behind the suffrage movement in the United States. Some are names you have heard before, but some might be new to you. Hope you enjoy reading about these players and are inspired by their stories.

Nina Otero-Warren (1881-1965) Her fluency in Spanish and English persuaded women in New Mexico to become suffrage activists through the militant Congressional Union, of which she was the advisory council’s vice president.

Alice Paul (1885-1977) Chief strategist of the militant wing, Paul founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and the National Woman’s Party. Organizer of the White House pickets in 1917, she was jailed three times and force-fed. Paul authored the Equal Rights Amendment.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) Brilliant women’s rights leader and forceful writer, Stanton authored the 1848 “Declaration of Sentiments” declaring “all men and women are created equal.” She and Anthony were political partners for 50 years.
Lucy Stone (1818-1893) An eloquent speaker, founder of the American woman Suffrage Association and leading spirit in New England, Stone published and edited the influential weekly, The Woman’s Journal, for 21 years.

Jeannette Rankin (1880 – 1973) Visiting Montana, Rankin became the first woman to speak before the Montana legislature, she also organized and spoke for the Equal Franchise Society. She went to work for the New York Woman Suffrage Party and in 1912 she became the field secretary of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Rankin returned to Montana to help organize the successful Montana suffrage campaign in 1914. Rankin was the first woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1916.

Sojourner Truth (c.1797-1883) born into slavery, Isabella Van Wagener changed her name in 1843 and began preaching against slavery and for women’s rights. She is best remembered for her dramatic “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech at the 1851 Woman’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862-1931) Wells-Barnett founded the first suffrage club of African-American women, the Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago. She marched in the 1913 Washington, D.C. parade and led a contingent of Black suffragists in the famous 1916 Chicago parade.

Emma Hart Willard (1787-1870) founds the Troy Female Seminary in New York--the first endowed school for girls.

Victoria Woodhull (1838 – 1927) was an American suffragist who was described by Gilded Age newspapers as a leader of the American woman's suffrage movement in the 19th century. She became a colorful and notorious symbol for women's rights, free love, and spiritualism as she fought against corruption and for labor reforms. She was the first woman along with her sister to operate a brokerage firm in Wall Street and then open a weekly newspaper. She is most famous for her declaration and campaign to run as the first woman for the United States Presidency in 1872.

Sources: National Women’s History Project and National Association Woman Suffrage Collection

Women and Men of the Suffrage Movement in the United States, A - L

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:02:00 +0000

This post is the first of two posts dedicated to learning about the women and men behind the suffrage movement in the United States. Some are names you have heard before, but some might be new to you. Hope you enjoy reading about these players and are inspired by their stories.

Abigail Adams (1744 – 1818) writes to her husband, John, who is attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the other men--who were at work on the Declaration of Independence--"Remember the Ladies." John responds with humor. The Declaration's wording specifies that "all men are created equal."

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) Symbol of the suffrage movement, Anthony was a strategist with sharp political instincts, the driving force behind the National Woman Suffrage Association, and single minded champion of a federal amendment.

Henry Blackwell (1829 – 1909) An early advocate of woman suffrage and abolition, Henry Blackwell joined his wife, Lucy Stone, in devoting their lives to these causes. In 1867 he wrote a message to Southern legislature proposing the extension of woman suffrage to counterbalance African American suffrage. Two years later he devoted most of his time and money to help his wife in organize the American Woman Suffrage Association.

Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-1894) launches the dress reform movement with a costume bearing her name. The Bloomer costume was later abandoned by many suffragists who feared it detracted attention from more serious women's rights issues.

Myra Bradwell (1831 – 1894) pioneer woman lawyer, first woman in U.S. to practice law, subject of Bradwell v. Illinois Supreme Court decision, author of legislation for women's rights; first woman member of the Illinois Bar Association; first woman member of the Illinois Press Association

Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) With Anthony, Catt reorganized the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1890, and then unified the movement in 1916 with her secret “Winning Plan.”
Catt called for the formation of a League of Women Voters in 1919.

Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910) is best known as the author of the famous poem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Julia was an ambitious woman. The mother of six children, she was also a published author and poet. Julia read and spoke seven languages and despite the challenges of her husband and her times, she carved out a career for herself as an author, preacher, teacher, and activist. Her fame allowed her to lead the struggle for many causes such as abolition, Woman's Suffrage and Universal World Peace.

Mary Lyon (1797-1849) founds Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, eventually the first four-year college exclusively for women in the United States. Mt. Holyoke was followed by Vassar in 1861, and Wellesley and Smith Colleges, both in 1875. In 1873, the School Sisters of Notre Dame found a school in Baltimore, Maryland, which would eventually become the nation's first college for Catholic women.

Sources: National Women’s History Project and National Association Woman Suffrage Collection

Lyn Scott, COO of The Women's Museum, panelist for Dallas Business Journal's Social Media Road Map 101 on August 11th

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:27:00 +0000

On August 11, 2011, the Dallas Business Journal presents Eve Mayer Orsburn, CEO of Social Media Delivered and author of Social Media for the CEO, who will moderate a panel discussion with leaders of organizations who have proven it can be done. Lyn Scott, COO of The Women’s Museum, Amy George, VP Marketing and Communications for Cooper Aerobics and Craig Scott, Managing Director for The Adolphus will share their stories, best practices and answer questions about using social media to drive and meet business objectives at the Westin Galleria from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., August 11, 2011.

REGISTER HERE for Social Media Road Map 101, an interactive seminar which will dispel common social media myths and show you strategies for utilizing it for business development and how ROI can be coordinated to engagement on social networks.

If you can’t make it to Dallas to attend the seminar, you can catch part of the story on our blog and on the Social Media for the CEO Blog Talk Radio Show:

Social Media and Cooper Aerobics with Christine Buzzetta on Social Media for the CEO Blog Talk Radio
Social Media Case Study: The Women’s Museum
Social Media Case Study: The Adolphus Hotel

MODERATOR:
Eve Mayer Orsburn is CEO of Social Media Delivered and author of Social Media for the CEO. Over 60,000 people connect with Eve for expertise on using social media explained in a way they can actually understand. Known as the @LinkedinQueen, Eve is one of the leading authorities worldwide on leveraging Linkedin to grow sales and revenues for B2B organizations. She has appeared on CNN Radio, Dallas Morning News, American Express Open Forum and CIO.com and was selected as one of the 100 most influential people online by Fast Company Magazine.

What is Women’s Equality Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:12:00 +0000

Women’s Equality Day is a day to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote in the United States. Led by Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), Congress passed the joint resolution in 1971, designating August 26 as Women's Equality Day.

Over the next month, we will take a look at the women’s suffrage movement, from Seneca Falls to the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

THE BEGINNING. 1848, Seneca Falls, New York. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha C. Wright, Mary Ann McClintock and Jane Hunt called for the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, to discuss “the social, civil, and religious condition and rights” of women in America. After two days, 300 people, including 40 men, made a public commitment to work together to improve women’s quality of life.

The Declaration of Sentiments, written by Stanton, would define the meeting. Taking the Declaration of Independence as her guide, Stanton submitted that "all men and women had been created equal" and went on to list eighteen "injuries and usurpations."

Thus began the women’s suffrage movement, ending with the passage of the 19th Amendment. Stay tuned to our blog this month as we take a look back at the leading ladies of this revolution.

Want to read more about the Seneca Falls Convention and the Declaration of Sentiments? Here is a great resource, http://www.usconstitution.net/sentiments.html. Test your knowledge of Women’s Equality Day, http://www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/equalityday_quiz.html.

Stories from the Top program

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:25:00 +0000

As part of The Women's Museum's mission to promote women in business, the Museum hosts a yearly program called Stories from the Top. This hallmark program recognizes and applauds the achievements and contributions of the nation's most outstanding women. The leaders engage in a candid conversation focusing on their respective personal and professional journeys.

This year, the eighth Stories from the Top, focuses on women as top business leaders in our community. The Museum is honored to present: Kellie Fischer, CFO and EVP, Texas Rangers; Kathleen Mason, President and CEO, Tuesday Morning Corporation; Catherine J. Rodewald, President, Prudential Asset Resources; Moderator, Karen Borta, CBS 11 News Anchor.

Held each year at The Women's Museum, surrounded by the history and stories of our foremothers, women and men alike enjoy a luncheon program of intimate conversations with women who have reached the pinnacle of their careers.

DETAILS:
WHERE: The Women's Museum
3800 Parry Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75226
WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 2011
TIME: 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $100/Individual Ticket, $80/Member Ticket
TABLE: Sponsor Tables available
Purchase tickets/tables at www.thewomensmuseum.org/stories.
*Proceeds benefit The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future

Speakers in years past include: Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Major General Kathryn Front, Brigadier General Toreaser Steele, Heloise, Lesley Harris, Shelly S. Stein, Nina G. Vaca, Elaine Agather, Linda Dillman, Melissa Reiff, Gloria Campos, Clarice Tinsley, Karen Borta.

Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:47:00 +0000

On May 21, The Women's Museum held the opening for Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color. The afternoon event began with a talk by Dr. Chris Chapman, the General Trustee of the Loïs Mailou Jones Trust. The Trust was founded to promote the life and work of Jones and preserve her artistic legacy. Dr. Chapman met Jones when he was a young student in Washington, D.C., and later became her close friend and godson. The crowd was moved by Dr. Chapman’s personal stories of Jones' life and struggles as an artist.

Following Dr. Chapman, Carla Hanzal, Curator of Contemporary Art at The Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, North Carolina, spoke to the group. Ms. Hanzal worked with Dr. Chapman to conceptualize and curate the Jones exhibit. The first venue for the traveling exhibit A Life in Vibrant Color was at The Mint Museum, where Ms. Hanzal works as a curator since 2003.

After giving a brief introduction to the life and work of Loïs Mailou Jones, Ms. Hanzal continued her talk on the third floor where the exhibit is currently installed. Her gallery talk within the exhibit was very insightful and generated many questions from the crowd on the scope and diversity of Jones’ body of work.

Here are some of the people that made it possible for the Loïs Mailou Jones exhibit to visit Dallas. From left to right: Lyn Scott, COO, The Women's Museum; Dr. Chris Chapman, Jones' godson and General Successor Trustee of the Lois Mailou Jones Trust; Carla Hanzal, Curator of Contemporary Art, Mint Museum; and Danielle Flores, Exhibits Manager and Registrar, The Women's Museum.

Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color will close at The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future on July 23, 2011. After leaving Dallas, the exhibit will continue its tour to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, MS; Mitchell Gallery, St. Johns College in Annapolis, MD; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, AL; and, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, FL.

Post by Danielle Flores, Exhibits Manager and Registrar, The Women's Museum

Week 1: Adventures in Science Summer Camps

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Sponsored by: Texas Instruments

We started off our Summer Camp season with our Science Summer Camp for girls. What a great week of learning and fun experiments! With our fearless leader, Jennifer Stimpson, teaching for our Science Camp we had a blast.

The girls had an opportunity to learn about the periodic table and conduct experiments that helped reinforce what they were learning. The campers also learned about four Scientists in our “Mystery Scientist” challenge in which they were given clues to figure out who their scientist’s were. After finding their mystery scientist, each team created a skit to teach others about their scientist, which they presented on Friday for museum staff and parents. The campers also had the opportunity to make homemade Shea butter lotion, the differences in penny materials, see an IMAX film about prehistoric sea creatures, tour the museum, and much more...

Post by Emily Embry

Welcome to the Museum of Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:26:00 +0000

By Danielle Flores, Exhibits Manager and Registrar

Last month, I got to represent The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future at the 2011 American Association of Museums conference. I was awarded a Texas Museum Professionals Fellowship so I could be one of the 5,000 national and international attendees. The 105th AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from May 22-25, 2011.The theme of this year’s conference was “The Museum of Tomorrow”.

I spent most of my time attending sessions geared towards my professional interests and duties here at The Women’s Museum – Exhibitions and Collections. The sessions that I found most enjoyable and applicable to my day to day work were “And Other Duties as Assigned: Prioritizing Collections Management in Small Museums” and “Registrars: Let’s Get This Show on the Road!” These sessions offered case studies and tales from the trenches of museum work, which are extremely helpful to hear and discuss!

Networking is very important for museum professionals – a trusted circle of professional contacts can be crucial when you are looking for specialist advice related to exhibitions, collections and other aspects of museum work. I made some great contacts with other Texan museum professionals but also met people in the museum field from as far away as Peru and Kazakhstan! I was also part of a Fellowship Recipients Breakfast where we got to meet Ford Bell, President of AAM and Susan Hildreth, the Director of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Everyone at AAM enjoyed time in Houston away from the convention as well, visiting the local museums and exploring downtown. There was a great public art display right across the street from the Convention Center that used Portable on Demand “PODS” to create site-specific art pieces.

On the last day of the conference, the final AAM General Session program was held. Opening remarks came from AAM President Ford Bell, who spoke about the importance of advocacy for museums in the United States.

The outgoing director of the Dallas Museum of Art, Bonnie Pitman, received the Award for Distinguished Service to Museums for 2011.

The keynote speaker was Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the National Museum of Natural History and host of the PBS program “Nova scienceNOW”. He gave a great lecture on scientific illiteracy and how museums can help educate and inspire their visitors and communities.

Attending the 2011 AAM conference was a great experience. I was able to promote the exhibits and programs of The Women’s Museum while making connections with other museums with similar missions and programming. Using the professional guidance and lessons from my AAM sessions, I will work with museum colleagues and volunteers towards continued success in exhibit programming and collections management.

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Yesterday I asked my colleagues at The Women’s Museum to email me their thoughts on our participation in the Blue Star Museum’s Program and one woman in particular’s reply blew me away! I couldn’t wait to share her thoughts with everyone. Below, Emily Embry, Tour Coordinator, shares with us what is like to be a “Military Brat” with her Top 10 list:

“There used to be a saying, “your momma wears combat boots” which was meant as an insult. I remember hearing that one day in middle school and thinking, “Well, actually my mom does wear combat boots and I am proud of it!” I can still remember my mom coming home in the evenings when I was little and my sister and I would fight over whose turn it was to help mom take of her boots. Most of the time we would only be able to help loosen the strings on our own and then we would both have to grab on to the boot while mom tried pulling her foot out. My salute goes out to all moms in combat boots… Thank you for your service!!!

Here is my top 10 list: “You know you’re a military brat when…”

10. You don't really know how to answer the question "what is your hometown"
9. You feared turning 21 because they would take your id card away
8. You thought all pens had "US Government" printed on them
7. You are brought to tears by the song “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood
6. You thought vacations meant going stateside to visit the grandparents
5. You see vapor trails in the sky, you assume they're from military aircraft
4. Your childhood neighborhood had a "Yard of the Month" award
3. You speak fluent acronyms --- CO, BDU, BQ, MP, TDY, PCS....and on and on
2. You know to stop whatever you are doing and stand at attention when hearing the national anthem
1. As an adult, you drive onto a military base and are overwhelmed by the feeling of coming home even if you have never been on that specific base before

We are very proud to offer active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, visit http://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.php.

Other DFW Museums participating: American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Arlington Historical Society, Dallas Heritage Village, Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance, Dallas Museum of Art, Frontiers of Flight Museum, Meadows Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Museum of the American Railroad, Nasher Sculpture Center, National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture, Veterans Memorial Air Park, The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future.

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Join The Women’s Museum and World Affairs Council for an evening with Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, author of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana and deputy director of the Women and Foreign Policy Program for the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Lemmon will speak about her New York Times bestselling book, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana tells the true story of Kamila Sadiqi, who was only a teenager when the Taliban seized control of her hometown of Kabul. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Sadiqi was left to fend for her family. Despite the odds, she was able to start a successful dressmaking business that supported her family and gave hope to her neighborhood. Lemmon, who spent years on the ground reporting on Sadiqi’s story, provides a unique look at the daily lives of Afghan women in this book.

Ms. Lemmon is a New York Times bestselling author and the deputy director of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Women and Foreign Policy program. Prior to joining the Council, she covered public policy and emerging markets for the global investment firm PIMCO after working for nearly a decade as a journalist with the ABC News Political Unit and “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.” Lemmon has reported on entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict regions for the Financial Times, The New York Times, International Herald Tribune and Christian Science Monitor, among other publications.

Program Details:

Wednesday, May 18
6 PM Registration and Reception
6:30 PM Program and Book Signing

Rosewood Crescent Hotel
400 Crescent Court
Dallas, TX 75201

$20 Members of The Women’s Museum and World Affairs Council
$35 Non-members
For more information and to register for this event, visit www.dfwworld.org.

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Mother's Day Honorary Membership Special

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? One way to a woman's heart is through supporting The Women's Museum! Honor the special woman in your life by giving the gift of membership. Your gift helps girls and women of all ages realize their potential, become inspired, and create dreams of success. As part of this special gift, her name will be added to over 3,000 women in the nation's only comprehensive women's history museum.

Membership Benefits include:
• FREE admission to The Women's Museum for 1 year
• FREE passes to the State Fair of Texas
• 10% off purchases in the Museum Store
• Invitations to "Members-Only" events
• Discounted prices on Museum programs and special events
• Opportunities to join volunteer groups and committees

Mother's Day Honorary Membership benefits added:
• Honoree's name will be listed on our "Tribute to Mothers" page on www.thewomensmuseum.org throughout the year.
• Honoree's name will appear on the Museum's electronic quilt the week prior and week after Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Tribute Membership: $50
Click here to purchase your gift today!*
*make sure to click the Honor/Memorial button and type the recipient’s name to ensure inclusion on the web and the electronic quilt.
Deadline for inclusion: Wednesday, May 4.

Maura McNiel: The Woman Behind the Award

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:32:00 +0000

When Judge Sarah T. Hughes looked at Maura McNiel and said, "You will be the president," she made one of the wisest decisions of her career--and there were many. Few people have both a "fire in the belly" and the temperament of a saint. Maura had both. She was well-respected--married, a mother, a Sunday school teacher, a college graduate, a volunteer--plus being well-known in the business community.

Maura is much more than the founding president of Women for Change, which evolved into the Women's Center of Dallas, she was the driving force behind every group established at Women for Change, attended all committee meetings of every task force, explained the group to the Dallas community, led the search for office space, was the public spokesperson for the group, quoted in newspapers, appearing on radio, TV and speaking before numerous organizations throughout the community. She once explained to the all-male (at that time) Rotary Club that just as birds flew better with two wings, marriages worked better as a partnership where both husband and wife shared responsibilities and demands. With her incredible organizational skills, Maura managed to work equally well with professional women and stay-at-home moms, displaced homemakers, ardent feminists and women timidly taking their first steps to self-emancipation. Hers was an unpaid job that stretched to all seven days of the week, some as many as 14 hours a day. She found a place for everyone who wanted to contribute, calmed the waters when necessary and led the fight for acceptance when called for. Because she was intimately involved in every group, she was able to direct the person with the right talent to a group where she could best serve. She groomed future leaders, encouraged shy followers and kept the path clear for both leaders and followers.

When Vivian Castleberry wrote the first story about the organization, a coupon for response was included--and the flood gates opened. Some of the first responses came from women who were being beaten in their own homes, feared for their lives and had nowhere to turn. Maura took the first woman into her own home and then set about finding a solution. Women for Change found the first "safe houses" for victims of family abuse, and was deeply involved in the eventual founding of the Family Place, Dallas' first sanctuary for family abuse victims.

Veteran feminist Gloria Steinem once said that Dallas had done more than any other city to improve the lives of its women. Maura McNiel deserves a major share of that accolade because she had the skills and the heart to lay the groundwork for every successful advancement for women in Dallas. She is truly a Woman for Change.

Post compiled by: Vivian Castleberry, Kay Cole and Tegwin Dyer Pulley

Program Recap: Standing Next to Annie: Tim Hossler

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:36:00 +0000

This past Saturday, The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future hosted a program coinciding with our current exhibit, Annie Leibovitz: Women. Below is Danielle Flores', Exhibit Manager and Registrar for The Women’s Museum, recap of the program with Tim Hossler:

As the Exhibits Manager and Registrar for The Women’s Museum, I oversee all temporary exhibits from start to finish. I always feel a bit of sadness as an exhibit’s closing date approaches, knowing that I will soon begin to dismantle the exhibit and coordinate the return of the objects to storage or to their home museums.

As the closing date for Annie Leibovitz: Women approached over these last few weeks, I felt a bit more celebratory than sad. This was the first exhibit I worked on for The Women’s Museum and I was immensely pleased with the overall look of the show and with the positive feedback we’ve received from visitors. Also, we would be wrapping up the show’s run with some great interpretive programming - a lecture by designer Tim Hossler this past Saturday, April 2, 2011.

Tim Hossler was the in-house art director for Annie Leibovitz in the late 1990s, working with the photographer and writer Susan Sontag on the book and subsequent exhibition Women. It was great to hear about the early ideas for Women and how the scope of the project came to evolve from a sprawling international portrait to a more tightly focused collection of American women. The crowd last Saturday also seemed to enjoy Mr. Hossler’s explanation of Ms. Leibovitz’s inspiration and works of homage in her photography. Mr. Hossler showed portraits of Jim Carrey that evoked the work of painter Francis Bacon, and playful pictures of cellist Yo-Yo Ma that paid homage to the Surrealist painter René Magritte. The program was a great success and we were happy to see many photography students from local universities in attendance.

Annie Leibovitz: Women closes at The Women’s Museum this Sunday, April 10. The larger version of the exhibit continues to travel across the country and is currently being shown at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, Florida.

Next exhibit: Lois Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color, opens May 21, 2011.

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:12:00 +0000

International Women’s Day History

2011 marks the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. Before women had the right to vote in America, women across the world came together each year to vie for women’s equality. Today, I urge you to take a moment in your hectic day to think about the sacrifices these women made to ensure the freedoms that are second nature to us today. Who were these women that were so driven to change the inequality and oppression of women throughout the world?

The following a timeline of the roots of International Women’s Day (www.internationalwomensday.com/about):

1908: Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

1909: In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

1910: In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.

1911: Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911 also saw women's 'Bread and Roses' campaign.

1913-1914: On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity.

1917: On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

1918 - 1999: Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 and beyond: IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TO ALL!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH - Women’s History Film Series

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Women’s History Month is right around the corner and The Women’s Museum is gearing up for five weeks of films, tours and dialogue.

Tuesdays during March, at 11:00 a.m., the Museum will feature a five-part series telling the historical accounts of women in America. The films are free and open to the public with paid admission to the Museum (that means members are free!). After the film, guests are invited to dialogue with other guests over your brown bag lunch.

A guided group tour of the Museum is also available by request. For more information and reservations, please contact Denita Powell Malvern at dpowell@thewomensmuseum.org or 214-915-0890. Not sure if you will be able to make the film? Not a problem. Walk-ins are always welcome day of the film each week.

MOVIE SCHEDULE

Our History Is Our Strength
REEL WOMEN FILM SERIES
Tuesday at 11 a.m.

March 1 – Women in American Life (1861 -1880): Civil War, Recovery and Westward Expansion March 8 – Women in American Life (1880-1920): Immigration, New Work & New Roles
March 15 – Women in American Life (1917-1942): Cultural Image and Economic Reality
March 22 – Women in American Life (1942-1955): War Work, Housework & Growing Discontent
March 29 – Women in American Life (1955 – 1977): New Attitudes Force Dramatic Changes

Louise Raggio, pioneer in women's rights, passes away at 91

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:03:00 +0000

"Every person has the ability to do something the world needs. You do not have to be talented, good looking, or smart. Success means you have found your niche and used your best efforts to try to solve the problems." -Louise Raggio

The woman known as the "Mother of Family Law in Texas" passed away Sunday from natural causes in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 91. To say that Raggio led a full life would be a gross understatement.

Growing up on a cotton farm in Central Texas, Raggio and her mother lived in Austin so Raggio could go to school in town during a time when a girl's education was not considered the best use of time. After graduating as the valedictorian of Austin High School, Louise went on to graduate from the University of Texas in Austin, magna cum laude, with a bachelor's degree and teacher's certificate. Before settling into teaching, Raggio took a fellowship at American University for nine months where she met her heroine, Eleanor Roosevelt, and her husband, Grier Raggio.

Returning to Dallas with her husband, she started taking night law school courses. What started as a want to learn enough law to teach classes, turned into a life-changing decision.

After graduating with a law degree in 1952, Raggio became the first women assistant district attorney of Dallas County. While there, she realized that married women in Texas had fewer rights that single women. During this time, Texas women were required to get their husbands’ signature each time she filed a legal document. Also, married women in Texas had little to no protection for themselves and their children if divorced. Frustrated by this, she became the major support and fighter for the Marital Property Act of 1967. The Marital Property Act of 1967 became the foundation for the current Texas Family Code protecting women in the event of a divorce. She and her husband had opened their private practice by then and had three sons. The law practice is still open today and run by the family.

As chair of the State Bar of Texas' Family Law Section, she spearheaded the Family Code project in 1979, making Texas the first state with a unified family code. For that effort, she received the State Bar of Texas' highest honor and was the first woman elected Director to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas in its more than 100-year history. On the national level, she served in influential leadership positions with the American Bar Association and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Among her most recent honors include being selected as a 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Texas SuperLawyer and receiving the Dallas Bar Association's Morris Harrell Lawyer of the Year Award.

Raggio is an inductee in the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the first recipient of the Dallas Bar Association Outstanding Trial Lawyers Award, the prestigious Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association, a listing in The Best Lawyers in America, as well as having Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas found a Lecture Series in her name.

Click here to read the Dallas Morning News article.

We, at The Women's Museum, will dearly miss Louise and thank her and her family for the support they have provided over the years. We promise to continue Louise's legacy by continuing to tell her story to the thousands of girls that participate in our programs, inspiring them to be active and passionate as community leaders.

Spirit of the Centennial model, Georgia Carroll Kyser, passes away at 91

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Georgia Carroll Kyser, whose appearance on countless fashion magazine covers in the 1930's and 40's led to her being called "the first super-model," died Friday in Chapel Hill. Wife of the late big band leader Kay Kyser, and a leader in the Chapel Hill historic preservation movement, she was 91.

Born outside of Dallas, Texas, Georgia took to singing early, appearing on radio shows by the age of seven. At 12, she had added acting and dancing to her regimen.

When sculptor Raoul Josset graciously sat in as a judge for a local Miss Bluebonnet Contest, little did he know that the decision would lead him to his muse. At 17, she agreed to model for the French artist for the "Spirit of the Centennial" statue that today welcomes visitors to The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future. The statue stands as a symbol of the Museum and its mission. Cathy Bonner, founder of The Women's Museum, attributes her decision to have the nation's first American women's history museum in Dallas to first seeing the "woman rising from the cactus" during a site visit with Friends of Fair Park.

A year after posing, Georgia left for New York to follow her dreams and became a nationally recognized model. Her image graced the cover of Redbook, Vogue and Ladies Home Journal. She quickly became one of the most photographed women in America and is known as America's first supermodel.

Her career evolved back into signing and acting in Hollywood where she met Kay Kyser, the man she later married. The two made their home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and raised three daughters. She is survived by two daughters, Kimberly and Amanda, and five grandchildren.

Click here to learn more about Georgia Carroll Kyser.

NEW EXHIBIT OPENS TODAY

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Annie Leibovitz: Women
January 6 through April 10, 2011

Annie Leibovitz: Women features more than 27 portraits by the internationally renowned photographer. The exhibition is a celebration of the American woman at the dawn of a new millennium and includes portraits from a broad spectrum of society. Well-known women - including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Drew Barrymore, Gloria Steinem, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Hall, Susan Sarandon and Toni Morrison- juxtaposed with lesser known women whose primary notoriety is their impact on those around them. “I’m very moved by the sense of dignity these women have,” says Leibovitz.

The exhibit is drawn from photographs generously gifted to The Women's Museum by Annie Leibovitz in 2003. This special showing of Women will allow visitors exclusive insight into the stunning portfolio of one of America’s most talented photographers. The images create a vivid and complex collective portrait of women today.

Born in 1949 in Connecticut, Annie Leibovitz attended the San Francisco Art Institute originally intending to study painting. After traveling to Japan, her focus quickly changed to photography. Growing up reading The Rolling Stones magazine, Leibovitz became chief photographer only two years after starting her career at the publication. Known for her portraits of culturally significant people, Leibovitz’s most notable photograph might well be the picture of Lennon and Ono taken just hours before Lennon’s untimely death. This photograph was named “best magazine cover from the past 40 years” by the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2005. Annie Leibovitz is one of the world’s most widely recognized photographers, still stunning audiences with her artistic perspective and unbridled passion for her life’s work.

The Women’s Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation’s only comprehensive women’s history museum that chronicles the lives of American women through interactive exhibits. The Women's Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. (closed Mondays). For more information, please visit www.thewomensmuseum.org.

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Students Display Their Mystery Creatures at The Women’s Museum

Throughout the year The Women’s Museum features student art work from local area school districts. From November 2010 – January 2011, museum members and visitors can see the artistic creations of fifteen elementary students from the Charles Rice Learning Center (Dallas Independent School District). Charles Rice Art teacher, Linda Gamble Camp submitted the art work for the following students:

Deiandre Simpson, 3rd Grade
Kristal Rodgers, 2nd Grade
Jeremy Terrell, 5th Grade
Caleb Glaspie, 4th Grade
Savannah Smith, 4th Grade
Montarius Reed, 5th Grade
Alexis Britten, 3rd Grade
Kennedy Finn, 4th Grade
Kourtlon Gibson, 5th Grade
Alexious Bell, 3rd Grade
Destiny Williams, 4th Grade
Devien Reese, 4th Grade
Sierra Woodard, 4th Grade
La’Quincia Taylor, 4th Grade
De’Shawn Mack, Jr., 5th Grade

The theme for the art exhibition is, Mystery Creatures on display in the Museum’s ImagiStation located on the first floor. The Museum’s education department plans to display student artwork on a rotating basis. If your school is interested in being featured at The Women’s Museum, please contact the Education Department at 214-915-0890.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at our Latest Exhibit, “Changing the Face of Power”

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:16:00 +0000

By Danielle Flores, Exhibits Manager

The latest traveling exhibit to visit us here at The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future is “Changing the Face of Power: Women in the U.S. Senate”. This exhibit comes to us from The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin. It is currently on view in our second floor gallery.

The Women’s Museum will often host exhibits from other institutions like museums, universities, art galleries or non-profit educational groups. Sometimes these exhibits include detailed instructions for exhibit design and layout while others leave these decisions up to the hosting venue. With “Changing the Face of Power”, the Exhibits Department here at The Women’s Museum was free to design the layout of the exhibit. Exhibits Manager and Registrar Danielle Flores worked with our two Exhibits interns – Heather McMaster and Marlina Reese – to create a design, assemble temporary gallery walls and then install the show!

The Exhibits Team lays out the photographs before hanging them on the gallery walls.

Intern Heather McMaster hangs and measures plaques of the exhibit text.

Intern Marlina Reese makes sure the photographs are displayed evenly.

Exhibits Manager and Registrar Danielle Flores marks the walls and hangs the photographs.

Congratulations to Wanda Brice, CEO of The Women's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Northwood University honored some of America's great minds and philanthropists during a weekend of events celebrating women:

The Distinguished Women's Forum and Luncheon -- featuring Distinguished Women panelists -- Friday, Nov. 5. The panel's topic was "Juggling Family, Work and Personal Happiness: Is It Achievable?"
Barbara Taylor Bradford, a Distinguished Woman from the class of 2001 and New York Times best-selling author of "Playing the Game," spoke at a luncheon Nov. 6.
The 41st annual Distinguished Women black-tie awards ceremony was Saturday, Nov. 6.

This year's Distinguished Women from the Dallas area:

Wanda R. Brice, Plano, Texas

Wanda Brice is currently CEO of The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future, a national museum and Smithsonian affiliate. A past President of the International Women's Forum-Dallas, Brice is a lifelong entrepreneur and public policy advocate; she has championed issues benefitting small business and women.

Jan Dedrie Strimple, Irving, Texas

Couture fashion model Jan Dedrie Strimple has been recognized worldwide for her unique career. In 2009, Women That Soar honored Strimple for empowering, supporting and inspiring other women on their personal and professional journeys. She has helped raise more than $3 million for education and services for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Elizabeth Acton, Dallas, Texas

Beth Acton is Chief Financial Officer of Comerica Bank, the largest bank with headquarters in Texas. Previously, she was Treasurer of Ford Motor Company's worldwide treasury activities. As Board Chair of Vista Marie, a non-profit that helps children recover from abuse, she headed the first ever capital campaign to build a new charter school.

Julie K. Hersh, Dallas, Texas

Julie Hersh, author of Struck by Living, is a mother, corporate wife, suicide survivor and advocate of mental health awareness. Board President of the Dallas Children's Theater, she is also an active supporter of the Suicide and Crisis Center and other non-profit organizations.

This year's Distinguished Women from outside North Texas:

Karen E. Burke, New York, New York

With a Ph.D. in Biophysics and an M.D. degree, Karen Burke has made significant contributions to medical research in several areas including Dermatology. The author of six books, she is included in the Castle-Connolly Guide of Best Doctors. Burke serves on numerous boards ranging from the medical field to education.

Kerry R. Graham, Paradise Valley, Arizona

Kerry Graham, a life member and three-time national President of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, has worked tirelessly to promote and expand the opportunities for women in golf. Graham's dedication to growing the game of golf and LPGA T&CP membership has earned her numerous awards.

Ruta Lee, Los Angeles, California

Ruta Lee has had an incomparable career acting in movies, television (over 2,000 appearances) and on stage. Over the past 45 years, as Chairperson or President, roles exchanged between herself and Debbie Reynolds, she has helped to raise millions for the Thalians Community Mental Health Center located in Los Angeles.

Petra Levin, Palm Beach, Florida

Petra Levin has been selfless in lending her celebrity to a long list of charitable organizations. She has worked tirelessly and raised millions for the Caron Foundation which she has chaired for the past six years. The former Miss Germany has chaired benefits for the American Folk Art Museum, where she is a Director, and for the Palm Beach Heart Ball.

Goldie B. Wolfe Miller, Bannockburn, Illinois

Goldie Wolfe Miller is one of the country's most successful female commercial real estate brokers with over $3 billion in transactions. Wolfe Miller's Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative at Roosevelt University-Chicago empowers women in commercial real estate to achieve leadership.

Margaret Daniels Tyler, Alexandria, Virginia

A bridge-builder, change-agent, and teacher, Margaret Daniels Tyler is Senior Program Officer, U. S. Special Initiatives for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her responsibilities include providing strategic guidance for the $2 billion investments in scholarships, and advancing college completion goals for young adults of poverty and color.

TGSF Recipient - Imani Hunter Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:13:00 +0000

Accomplishments:

2009 – 2010 Advanced Piano

2008 – 2009 Advanced Piano

2008 – 2009 Outstanding piano student Greiner Middle School

2007 – 2008 Outstanding piano student Greiner Middle School

I’m Imani Hunter Harris, and I play the piano. I’ve been playing the piano since 4th grade at Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard Elementary School.

I attended W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy Middle School for 3 years. I am currently a student at the Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing and Visual Arts. My sister JaNone LaShawn Greer inspired me to start playing the piano. She showed me how to play the treble clef part of a song, while she was playing the bass clef part. I liked playing it so much that I wanted to learn the bass clef part because it sounded better together. My mom told me that when I was a baby she would sit me down at the piano, and I wouldn’t bang on it, but I would actually press one key at a time with a big smile on my face. The piano has helped me to become the person I am today. As a result of the piano, when I hear songs I don’t just hear the lyrics and the beat, but I can tell how many instruments are in the song. I can also name all of instruments in a song. I hear the harmony in songs and this skill helps me a lot in my youth chorus at church.

My extracurricular activities include the Grace Dance Ministry at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church (SLCUMC), where our teacher, Jennifer Adams, choreographs dances for us to do on special occasions. LEBY Youth Choir at SLCUMC, where our choir director, Tamika Beasley, teaches us Christian songs to sing at Youth Church. I’m a Cadette Girl Scout for Northeast Texas at SLCUMC, where we work on Girl Scout Badges and Awards. I am also involved with the Loaves and Fishes Ministry at SLCUMC where we feed the homeless at the Martin Luther King Center.

The people who inspire me to keep playing the piano are Ms. Monya Logan because when I see her play I’m amazed at how good she is and it makes me want to be that good. My piano teacher Mr. Elbert Hensley is also a source of encouragement. My dad really pushes me to keep on going with piano because he sees that I’m good and I have fun. Ms. Peacock, my first piano teacher, helped me the most. Although I rarely see her, I know she is cheering me on. When I grow up I want to be a music director at a church or be a singer and artist like Alicia Keys. I also want to travel around the world and help people. I want to participate in as many high school activities and programs as I can. My future plans are to attend Julliard and pursue a career in piano.

See the rest of the recipients of the Texas Girls' State Fair by visiting www.thewomensmuseum.org/txgirlsstatefair.

TGSF Recipient - Soumya Mandava

noreply@blogger.com (Haley Curry) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:48:00 +0000

Accomplishments:

President’s Award for Educational Excellence

Member of American MENSA

1st Place in the Freedom’s Sisters Essay Competition for Dallas, The Women’s Museum

2008 – 2009 Grand Prize winner North Dallas Regional Elementary Science Fair

Hi, my name is Soumya Mandava. I am an 8th grader at Ereckson Middle School in Allen ISD. I am a well-rounded person, however I excel in education. My favorite subjects in school are math, reading, robotics and the gifted and talented program.

In 2008-09 academic year, I received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence at the elementary school level. The purpose of the award is to honor student achievement and hard work. It also provides individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education for outstanding effort in meeting challenging standards of excellence. I have always been an A Honor Roll student. I have received commended performance on the TAKS tests since the 3rd grade.

I am the construction team captain for my school robotics club. We participate in CoCo BEST Robotics competitions. The BEST program is a sports-like technology competition that seeks to inspire and motivate students towards studies and careers in engineering, science and technology.

In the past, I played soccer and basketball. I am a decent swimmer and ice skater. In my spare time, I might be seen playing with my younger sister, spending time with my family, hanging out with my friends, playing on the computer, playing the clarinet, watching TV or reading a book. I volunteered at the Allen public library as a puppeteer for young children. I am also a member of Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary’s Youth Volunteer program.

Once I complete 10th grade in Allen ISD, I hope to attend Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS). After high school, I want to go to Harvard to be a pediatrician. With hard work, commitment and dedication I hope to pursue and accomplish this dream.

From my family, I have learned four key values. Charity (give more than what you take), love (love God, yourself, your family and your country), honor (honor all people, including yourself) and respect (show respect to each individual). I will do everything in my capacity to make them my virtues and be a good human being.

Learn more about the Texas Girls' State Fair and sign your young woman up for next year's TGSF by visiting www.thewomensmuseum.org.