Women’s History
Teaching Activity PDFs
Seneca Falls, 1848: Women Organize for Equality
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 17 pages.
A role play allows students to examine issues of race and class when exploring both the accomplishments and limitations of the Seneca Falls Convention.
Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Organizing, Women's History
Salt of the Earth: Grounds Students in Hope
Teaching Activity PDF. By S.J. Childs. 6 pages.
The author describes how she introduces students to the classic 1953 film Salt of the Earth about a miners’ strike in New Mexico.
Exploring Women’s Rights: The 1908 Textile Strike in a 1st-grade Class
Teaching Activity PDF. By Dale Weiss. 3 pages.
A teacher’s reflections about a curriculum unit on women’s rights contextualizes the history of the feminist movement within the broader struggle of people working for greater equality in the United States.
Unsung Heroes: Encouraging Students to Appreciate Those Who Fought for Social Justice
Teaching Activity PDF. Essay by Howard Zinn and lesson by Bill Bigelow. 11 pages.
Students research and share stories about unsung heroes in U.S. history.
Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Organizing, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Daughter of Earth: Reading, Writing, and Social Class
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 7 pages.
Lawrence, 1912: The Singing Strike
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow and Norm Diamond. 18 pages.
Role play on the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Mass.
Promoting Social Imagination Through Interior Monologues
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow and Linda Christensen. 3 pages.
Empathy, or “social imagination,” allows students to connect to “the other” with whom, on the surface, they may appear to have little in common.
Language Arts, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Rethinking the U.S. Constitutional Convention: A Role Play
Teaching Activity PDF. By Bob Peterson. 14 pages.
A role play on the Constitutional Convention which brings to life the social forces active during and immediately following the American Revolution with focus on two key topics: suffrage and slavery. An elementary school adapation of the Constitution Role Play by Bill Bigelow.
Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Native American, Slavery, Women's History
Unleashing Sorrow and Joy: Writing Poetry from History and Literature
Teaching Activity PDF. By Linda Christensen. 10 pages.
Teacher reflection on different ways to effectively incorporate poetry into history or literature classes.
The Early Women’s Movement
Teaching Activity PDF. By Gayle Olson-Raymer. 17 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 6 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on the early women’s movement, including their efforts for social, racial, and political equality.
Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Women's History
Women, Gays, and Other Voices of Resistance
Teaching Activity PDF. By Jack Bareilles. 17 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 19 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on the emergence and legacy of the 1960s counterculture, as well as the movements it helped create.
Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, LGBT, Women's History
Teaching Guides
Speaking Out: Women, War and the Global Economy
Teaching Guide. By Jan Haaken, Ariel Ladum, et al. 193 pages with DVD. Ooligan Press. 2005.
Interactive lessons on the 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone and broader issues such as cross-cultural awareness, the global trade in diamonds and guns, and the effects of war on women.
Economics, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History, World History/Global Studies
Articles
The Truth About Helen Keller
Article for Teachers and High School Students – PDF. By Ruth Shagoury. 6 pages.
A review of children’s picture books about the life of Helen Keller reveals the omission of any description of her active role in key social movements of the 20th century.
The Politics of Children’s Literature: What’s Wrong with the Rosa Parks Myth
Aritcle. By Herbert Kohl. 6 pages.
A critical analysis that challenges the myths in children’s books about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Women's History
Books: Fiction
Aani and the Tree Huggers
Book – Fiction. By Jeannine Atkins. Illustrated by Venantius J. Pinto. 2000. 32 pages.
Based on an event that took place in India in the 1970s, children and women in the village hug the trees to save them from being logged.
The Bobbin Girl
Book – Fiction. By Emily Arnold McCully. 1996. 36 pages.
Historical fiction for upper elementary based on a true story about the Lowell textile workers.
Uprising
Book – Fiction. By Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2007. 352 pages.
Three young women march against unfair labor practices in the Shirtwaist Strike of 1909-10, only to find themselves engulfed in the raging flames consuming the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
Books: Non-Fiction
500 Years of Chicana Women’s History
Book – Non-fiction. By Elizabeth Martinez. 2007. 320 pages, 899 illustrations.
Stories and photos of Chicana/Mexican-American women in politics, labor, art, health, and more.
Civil Rights Movements, Immigration, Latino, Women's History
At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance — a New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power
Book – Non-fiction. By Danielle L. McGuire. 2010. 352 pages.
History of the violence against African-American women during the 20th century and the role played by Rosa Parks in the organized legal response to that abuse.
Civil Rights Movements, Racism & Racial Identity, Women's History
Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman’s Race for the Presidency
Book – Non-fiction. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illustrated by Courtney E. Martin. 2008. 32 pages.
Biography of Belva Lockwood who ran for President in 1884.
Caribbean Connections: The Dominican Republic
Book – Non-fiction and Fiction. Edited by Gallin, Glasser, Santana. 2005. 250 pages.
Reader-friendly overview of the history, politics and culture of the fourth largest Latino community in the United States.
Art & Music, Immigration, Latino, Sports, US Foreign Policy, Women's History, World History/Global Studies
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
Book – Non-fiction. By Phillip Hoose. 133 pages. Ages 10+
The story of Claudette Colvin, a teenager who refused to give up her seat in the year leading up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Freedom’s Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark
Book – Non-fiction. By Katherine Mellen Charron. 2009. 480 pages.
Biography of Septima Clark who played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement through education.
African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Individuals in US History, Women's History
Hands On the Freedom Plow: Personal Accounts by Women in SNCC
Book – Non-fiction. Edited by Faith S. Holsaert, Martha Prescod Norman Noonan, Judy Richardson, Betty Garman Robinson, Jean Smith Young, and Dorothy M. Zellner. 2010. 632 pages.
An unprecedented women’s history of the Civil Rights Movement, from sit-ins to Black Power.
Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
Book – Non-fiction. By Andrea Davis Pinkney. 2000. 120 pages.
Mini-biographies of ten African-American women for upper elementary and middle school.
A People’s History of the United States: 1492 – Present
Book – Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 2005. 702 pages.
Howard Zinn’s groundbreaking work on U.S. history. This book details the lives and facts that are rarely included in textbooks — an indispensable teacher and student resource.
African American, Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Economics, Education, Immigration, Imperialism, Individuals in US History, Labor, Laws & Citizen Rights, Native American, Organizing, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery, Social Class, US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder
Book – Non-fiction. By Thomas Locker and Joseph Bruchac. 2004. 32 pages.
The life of environmental activist Rachel Carson for upper elementary.
Environment & Food, Individuals in US History, Women's History
A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America
Book – Nonfiction. By Darlene Clark Hine and Kathleen Thompson. 1999.
An inspiring narrative of the role of Black women in shaping US History.
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson
Book – Nonfiction. By Michelle Y. Green. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. 2004. 128 pages.
A biography on one of only three women to play baseball in the Negro Leagues.
That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s struggle for justice/¡No Es Justo!: La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia
Book – Non-fiction. By Carmen Tafolla, Sharyll Tenayuca, Celina Marroquin. 2008. 40 pages. Bilingual (Spanish and English).
Biography for upper elementary of labor activist Emma Tenayuca.
Individuals in US History, Labor, Latino, Organizing, Women's History
Undaunted By The Fight: Spelman College And The Civil Rights Movement, 1957-1967
Book – Non-fiction. By Harry G. Lefever. 2005. 304 pages.
The story of Spelman College students and faculty engagement in the Civil Rights Movement from 1957 to 1967.
African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Women's History
Voices of a People’s History of the United States
Book – Non-fiction. Edited by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove. 2009. 704 pages.
Speeches, letters, poems, and songs for each chapter of A People’s History of the United States.
Labor, Organizing, Slavery, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Films
Chisholm ’72 – Unbought and Unbossed
DVD. By Shola Lynch. 2004. 76 min.
Documentary about Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 1972.
Cindy Sheehan: “It’s Time for the Antiwar Choir Started Singing”
Cindy Sheehan’s “It’s Time the Antiwar Choir Started Singing” (2005) is read by Marisa Tomei and Staceyann Chin. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
Democracy & Citizenship, Imperialism, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock
Film. Directed by Sharon LaCruise. 2011.
Documentary on the life of Daisy Bates, best know for her role with the Little Rock Nine.
African American, Civil Rights Movements, Education, Laws & Citizen Rights, Organizing, Racism & Racial Identity, Women's History
June Jordan: “Speech Against the Gulf War”
June Jordan’s “Speech Against the Gulf War” (1991) read by Kathleen Chalfant. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
African American, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Maquilapolis (City of Factories)
Film. Directed and produced by Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre. 2006. 68 minutes.
The impact of globalization as told through the lives of the women who experience it in Tijuana, Mexico.
Labor, Organizing, Women's History, World History/Global Studies
Maria Stewart: Address Delivered at the African Masonic Hall
Film clip. From Voice of a People’s History of the United States. 3:41 minutes.
Maria Stewart’s “Address Delivered at the African Masonic Hall” (1833) is read by Alfre Woodard.
Not Just a Game: Power, Politics & American Sports
Film. By Dave Zirin and Jeremy Earp. 2010. 62 minutes.
Film documentary for 6th grade to adult based on the bestselling book “A People’s History of Sports in the United States.”
African American, Media, Racism & Racial Identity, Sports, Women's History
The People Speak – Extended Edition – DVD
Film. 2009. Directed by Howard Zinn, Chris Moore and Anthony Arnove. 110 minutes.
Dramatic readings and performances based on Voices of a People’s History and A People’s History of the United States.
Labor, Organizing, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History
Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy
Film and website. Produced by Mary Becker and Renée Bergan. Writer/Narrator: Edwidge Danticat. 2009. 50 minutes.
Documentary about Haiti and global economics told through the lives of five women.
Regret to Inform
Film. By Barbara Sonneborn. 1998. 72 minutes. Teaching guide by Bill Bigelow. Chapter of A People’s History by Howard Zinn.
A profound documentary on the impact of war, with a teaching guide and the chapter of A People’s History of the United States on the Vietnam War, “Impossible Victory.”
Salt of the Earth
Film. By Herbert Biberman. 1954. 94 minutes.
This classic, powerful film about a miners strike in New Mexico can be used to teach about the intersection of class, race, national origin, and gender.
Sojourner Truth: “Ain’t I a Woman?”
Film clip. Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” (1851) is read by Alfre Woodard. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
Standing on My Sisters’ Shoulders
Film. By Joan Sadoff, Robert Sadoff, and Laura Lipson. 2002. 60 minutes.
Documentary film on women in the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi.
Civil Rights Movements, Individuals in US History, Organizing, Women's History
Vicky Starr: “Back of the Yards”
Film clip. Vicky Starr’s “Back of the Yards” about organizing in the 1930s, read by Christina Kirk.
From Voices of the People’s History of the United States.
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun
Film. Producer/Writer: Kristy Andersen. 2008. 84 minutes.
Documentary about the life, literature, and research of Zora Neale Hurston.
Picture Books
Aani and the Tree Huggers
Book – Fiction. By Jeannine Atkins. Illustrated by Venantius J. Pinto. 2000. 32 pages.
Based on an event that took place in India in the 1970s, children and women in the village hug the trees to save them from being logged.
Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman’s Race for the Presidency
Book – Non-fiction. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illustrated by Courtney E. Martin. 2008. 32 pages.
Biography of Belva Lockwood who ran for President in 1884.
The Bobbin Girl
Book – Fiction. By Emily Arnold McCully. 1996. 36 pages.
Historical fiction for upper elementary based on a true story about the Lowell textile workers.
Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder
Book – Non-fiction. By Thomas Locker and Joseph Bruchac. 2004. 32 pages.
The life of environmental activist Rachel Carson for upper elementary.
Environment & Food, Individuals in US History, Women's History
That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s struggle for justice/¡No Es Justo!: La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia
Book – Non-fiction. By Carmen Tafolla, Sharyll Tenayuca, Celina Marroquin. 2008. 40 pages. Bilingual (Spanish and English).
Biography for upper elementary of labor activist Emma Tenayuca.
Individuals in US History, Labor, Latino, Organizing, Women's History
Posters
Women of Hope Poster Set: African American + Study Guide
Poster.
African American, Individuals in US History, Women's History
Profiles
Murray, Pauli: Fighting Jane Crow
Article. By Paula Giddings, The Nation, May 23, 1987.
Review of Pauli Murray’s autobiography, Song in a Weary Throat: An American Pilgrimage (Harper & Row).
Songs and Poems
Bread and Roses
Song. Reprinted from Labor Notes 2007.
Links issues of economic secruity and quality of life, also addresses the role of women in the struggle for justice.
Spanish/Bilingual
That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s struggle for justice/¡No Es Justo!: La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia
Book – Non-fiction. By Carmen Tafolla, Sharyll Tenayuca, Celina Marroquin. 2008. 40 pages. Bilingual (Spanish and English).
Biography for upper elementary of labor activist Emma Tenayuca.
Individuals in US History, Labor, Latino, Organizing, Women's History
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