Saving Vermont Women's History

The following letter is from Christine Smith, History teacher at Spaulding High School

Dear Colleagues:

Ann Reynolds Story, Lucy Terry Prince, Clarina Howard Nichols, Emma Willard, Abby Hemenway, Electra Havemeyer Webb, Consuelo Northrop Bailey, Doris Morning Dove Minckler

These are all women who helped to shape our state, but many Vermonters, including educators, have never heard of them.

If you have, chances are it’s because of the Vermont Women’s History Project, sponsored by the Vermont Commission on Women, which has been working for the last five years to revive our awareness of Vermont women’s history.

Our work with the Vermont History Expo has inspired local historical societies to rediscover important women their own archives. Collaboration with the Vermont Humanities Council and the Champlain Quadricentennial Committee has enabled us to present lectures and produce research on other women of historical significance. Finally, we sponsor a conference for teachers and high school students in the Northeast Kingdom, called “My Story Matters.”

Through our newly created web site and data base, researchers, educators, students and the public now have easy access to information on Vermont women. The web site is also linked to the state’s tourism site so that people can find related events and attractions. It’s already become a model for other states: http://www.womenshistory.vermont.gov/.

A proposed merger with the Vermont Historical Society will ensure the continuation of projects like these. However, we must first demonstrate that there is strong community support for women’s history in Vermont by raising $12,000 by June 30. To that end, there are two ways you could help: 1) send a donation, or 2) look at the website/database and contact the VHS in order to show your support. You may contact the new director of the VHS Mark Hudson at Mark.Hudson@state.vt.us and send a copy to Jane Campbell at Jane.Campbell@state.vt.us.

For more information, please contact me, Christine Smith, or Judith Irving, Director of the Vermont Women’s History Project .

Christine Smith
Spaulding HS
155 Ayers Street
Barre, VT
History200@aol.com
Tel 802-476-4811 (ex 2217)
Cell 802-371-9439

Judith Irving
Vermont Women's History Project
Vermont Commission on Women
126 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-6801
judith.irving@state.vt.us
www.womenshistory.vermont.gov
Tel 802-828-5940
Cell 802-279-0098