Celebrate women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion with DC Public Library. This March, DC Public Library invites you to celebrate the stories of women who have, and continue to, advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion.
The stories exist in our city through the history of women who have refused to accept the status quo, advocating for fair treatment of people of all races, genders, incomes and backgrounds. These stories are embedded in our neighborhood libraries, many of them named for the incredible women who knew that spaces to read, learn and gather were essential for their communities to thrive.
This Women's History Month, visit your neighborhood library for can't-miss events; check out compelling reads; research Women's History in the District and beyond with your DC Public Library Card.
About the Women's History Month Wordmark
The wordmark for Women's History Month includes an inclusive gender symbol for those who identify as women or femme.
Signature Events
DC Tech Meetup: DC Women Innovators
Thursday, Mar. 7, 6 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
DC Tech Meetup is an open monthly meeting for DC's tech community to share ideas and demonstrate new projects, with the goal of building a supportive tech community in DC. For Women's History Month, we'll feature a roundtable discussion at the start of the event on DC's women innovators, followed by community demos.
Alma W. Thomas: Curatorial Perspectives
Saturday, Mar. 9, 1 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
In this panel, three curators will discuss the different approaches they have pursued in their exhibitions featuring Alma Thomas, which range from an expansive view of Thomas’ life and varied contributions; to a focused deep dive into her nature-inspired abstract compositions; to her enduring legacy in arts education and D.C.’s strong tradition of Black art educators over the past century. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of this iconic artist’s varied contributions and approaches.
Women Behind The Mic: A Celebration of Women in Hip Hop
Saturday, Mar. 23, 3 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Celebrate these impactful women who were excluded during the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and get to know their front-row seat stories while working behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Following the panel discussion, DJ Heat will provide the vibes and there will be a special guest performance by Grammy-nominated hip-hop entertainer, actress, educator, and philanthropist, YO-YO.
La Communidad Reads with Jennine Capó Crucet and Melissa Rivero
Monday, Mar. 25, 7 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Join the Library and Politics and Prose for another conversation in our La Comunidad series with Lupita Aquino (aka Lupita Reads). Lupita will host an engaging discussion featuring esteemed special guests — Jennine Capó Crucet author of the forthcoming book Say Hello To My Little Friend and Melissa Rivero author of Flores and Miss Paula, as we delve into the way both novels navigate themes of self-identity and autonomy, through the characters grappling with their desires, dreams, and responsibilities amidst familial expectations and societal pressures.
Memory Piece: A Novel with Lisa Ko
Wednesday, Mar. 27, 7 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Join the Library and Loyalty Bookstores for a special conversation with award-winning author Lisa Ko and her exciting new novel Memory Piece. Moving from the predigital 1980s to the art and tech subcultures of the 1990's to a strikingly imagined portrait of the 2040's, Memory Piece is an innovative and audacious story of three lifelong friends as they strive to build satisfying lives in a world that turns out to be radically different from the one they were promised.
The Life of Laura Barney with Mona Khademi
Thursday, Mar. 28, 6 p.m. | Georgetown Library
Join us for an insightful evening with the author of the newly published biography of Laura Barney "The Life of Laura Barney". The author will examine various aspects of Laura Barney and her mother, Alice Pike Barney’s contributions to the arts in Washington, D.C. This presentation will be accompanied by the showing of historical pictures.
Transplant: A Memoir by Dine Watson
Thursday, Mar. 28, 7 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
This powerful story offers insight into her journey with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare, incurable, kidney disease that primarily affects Black people. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in important conversations about health, self-advocacy, and the experiences of Black women. Learn more about the book and the author below and register to let us know you are coming.
Learn About the Women of DC Public Library
Dorothy I. Height
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, born in 1912, was a prominent figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. Denied admission to Barnard College due to her race, she pursued education at New York University. Height's career in social work and leadership at the Harlem YWCA laid the foundation for her pivotal role in the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), where she served as president for 40 years. She advocated for voter registration and supported civil rights activists financially. Height's influence extended beyond the United States; she traveled internationally and received numerous awards, including the Citizens Medal Award and the Congressional Gold Medal. Despite facing gender discrimination in the Civil Rights Movement, she persisted, advocating for women's inclusion and contributing to major events like the March on Washington. Height's legacy of activism and leadership continued until her passing in 2010, leaving an indelible mark on history. DC Public Library named the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library in her honor.
Lillian J. Huff
Huff, who served as the president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and on the Democratic National Committee, played a key role in securing funding from the U.S. Congress to build the original Lamond-Riggs branch. Huff served as the first president of the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs Library and also vice president of the Federation of Friends of D.C. Public Library. She was also the elected leader of the city’s delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978. President Jimmy Carter appointed Huff as the vice chair of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services. The reimagined Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library opened in 2022.
Juanita E. Thornton
In 1984, an apartment building was razed and a Wendy's restaurant was scheduled to be constructed on the site. The next day Juanita E. Thornton, a former teacher with the DC Schools Public System, spoke with Hardy Franklin, at that time Director of the Department of DC Public Libraries, and told him: "We have beef, bread, booze and beer. We need another B: books". A library "would provide good mental health. It is necessary for the growth of our cities, harmony among the races, justice and peace". The slogan for the construction of the new library was "Books Not Burgers." In 1988, the land was turned over to DC Public Library. The new library opened in 1990. Juanita E. Thornton died one month after the library opened. In October 1992, the Shepherd Park/Juanita E. Thornton Library was named in her memory.
Books for Children
How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee
Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of
Kirsten W. Larson, Katherine Roy
Millo's Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women's Education
Reem Faruqi, Hoda Hadadi
Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America's First Openly Transgender Senator
Meeg Pincus, Meridth McKean Gimbel
Books for Teens
Inaugural Ballers: The True Story of the First U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team
Andrew Maraniss
The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology
Danna Staaf
Mighty Justice: The Untold Story of Civil Rights Trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree
Jabari Asim, Katie McCabe, Dovey Johnson Roundtree
Books for Adults
MOWPI's Recommended Reads
Women's History Month Exhibitions
We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C.
Presented as part of a groundbreaking partnership between DC Public Library and the National Women’s History Museum, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C. will trace Black feminism in Washington, DC from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to today.
Let This World Be Beautiful
The DC Public Library is pleased to present a two-part exhibition celebrating the remarkable Washington, D.C. artist Alma W. Thomas, a true master of abstraction and a beloved teacher in DC Public Schools.
