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We’ve got a slate of online events and activities for all ages to celebrate Women’s History Month this month. Explore a range of stories, perspectives, and topics connected to the experiences of women and people of marginalized genders, including non-binary folks, and trans men.

On Wednesday, March 3, our Civic Lab features Your Body, Your Rights. We'll explore how our identities affect access to health care, and how race, class, disability status, and gender affect a person’s reproductive health. This is open to all ages (teens and adults in particular).

Two events are perfect for movie fans. On Tuesday, March 9, Kelli Marshall of Chicago Movie Tours leads a presentation about how Hollywood portrays women. On Wednesday, March 17, library film buffs Chris and Sharon  lead discussion of the film Tomboy, directed by Céline Sciamma. Watch the film using the library’s streaming service Kanopy before the discussion.

For young artists in the community, our Be the Artist program on Monday, March 15--perfect for elementary-age kids, but open to all--will explore the art of Wendy Red Star, including a simple photo mixed media project you can create at home.

We’ll round out our online events for Women’s History Month with two book discussions. On Thursday, March 18, join a discussion on Goodreads about the bestselling 2020 title The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett. Is listening to folks discuss books more your style? Watch an Instagram Live discussion of The Vanishing Half featuring staff on Tuesday, March 23. 

On Wednesday, March 24, our Talking Books discussion group will have a conversation about The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See, which follows a female friendship in South Korea from World War II until 2008.

We’ll also be sharing a range of blog posts and at-home activity instructions throughout the month. Each of our weekly BOOMbox at Home blog posts in March will feature women scientists and artists. We’re also featuring Be the Artist activity sheets exploring the styles and aesthetics of women artists. Make art in the styles of Betye Saar, Wendy Red Star, Louise Bourgeois, Lee Bontecou, and Amy Sherald from home. Those activity sheets will be shared as part of our Fun Things to Do each Monday.

If you’re looking for more to explore on your own, we’ve got an assortment of lists highlighting materials you can check out to learn about the stories and lives of women and the issues they care about:

• Feminist Movement and Theory(books for adults)
• Inspiration: Stories of Women’s Accomplishments (books for adults)
• Women Politicians, Activists, and Peacemakers (books for kids)
• Women Artists and the Power of Creativity (books for kids)
• Women Overcoming (books for adults)
• Women in the Director's Chair (three lists of films for adults)

Make sure to also take a look at eBooks on OverDrive and downloadable audiobooks on Hoopla, as well as movies and documentaries on Kanopy.

If you’re looking for some tunes to carry you through the month, may we suggest a Women’s History Month Spotify playlist curated by library staff? We’d love to hear your favorite tracks.

How do you plan to celebrate Women’s History Month? Tag @skokielibrary on social media, or send us an email at tellus@skokielibrary.info.