Today's Lesson: The Experiences of Women in America
Sexism in the United States has historically been linked to the experiences of women and girls and its effects include gendered stereotypes, tropes, and/or pre-defined roles, as well as historically lower pay, a lack of access to equal education or adequate healthcare, and underrepresentation in our political system. We understand that these conversations can be difficult, and often are focused on either talking to very young children or how to educate ourselves as adults. We believe this is a life-long learning journey, and one that is just as important for those in the in between age categories, AKA adolescents. Below you will find educational resources specifically geared toward school-aged children that explore what it means to be a woman in America, celebrating their influence, experiences, contributions, leadership, and accomplishments.
Click here to return to the main page.
Learning Levels
Early Childhood Adolescent AdultRead
Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World
In the testosterone-fueled rock climbing scene of the 1980s and '90s Lynn Hill rose to the top becoming a legend in the sport. Her crowning achievement was free climbing the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, a nearly vertical 2,900-foot climb so difficult that it was said to be inconceivable. Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World is her life story in her own words, full of adventure, hard earned lessons, and larger than life people.
If you are looking for more notable fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for young adults about women's history and women's experiences, check out this list, curated by Los Angeles Public Library librarians.
EXTRA CREDIT: A new generation of young women has begun to make their mark online, combining entrepreneurial energy with the hardwired digital fluency that typifies the so-called digital natives. For these women and others like them, this was not revolutionary. They’re simply operating in the only media environment they’ve ever known, creating spaces for young women, by young women.
Watch
We the Young People
In this video, Yamiche Alcindor, White House Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, talked with three young women of color and former Gwen Ifill Fellows about the historic nature of America’s first female vice president. The NewsHour’s Gwen Ifill Fellowship was created to honor the legacy of Gwen Ifill, a trailblazing journalist who co-anchored the PBS NewsHour before her death in 2016.
EXTRA CREDIT: In 1916, Margaret Chung became the first American-born Chinese female doctor. Throughout her career, Chung persevered against discrimination based on her race, gender, and presumed sexuality. Learn about Chung’s inspiring career in medicine and her contributions to the U.S. war effort during WWII in this video from Unladylike2020.
Listen
Six Minutes
Who is Holiday? Where did she come from and how did she end up floating in the icy waters off the coast of Alaska with no memory? And what’s the deal with that cool hoverboard? The mystery unfolds as she begins to develop incredible abilities and discovers she’s not alone in the world, all in easy six-minute podcast episodes. Check out Six Minutes here.
EXTRA CREDIT: Join hosts Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class. Two dynamic women bring you this fun and educational podcast, which often shines a light on remarkable women and how they shaped who and where we are today as a society.