Introduction | Internet Activities | Conclusion |

Introduction

Women's contributions to history are rich and plentiful. Unfortunately, their contributions often go unnoticed. Women have played and continue to claim a significant role in the field of math and science, literature, politics and government, athletics, and the arts. Women have participated in wars, changed the work world, impacted the lives of their families, and challenged the ideas of our society. This webquests dedicated to uncovering these contributions. The following links were collected from all over the World Wide Web and illustrate only a small portion of women's contributions. In examining these, your desire to learn more about women's history should grow.

Internet Activities

Women's International Center

1. Under the section entitled 'Information,' select the link to 'Birthdates and Brief Biographies.' Find out which famous women were born on your birthday.
2. Select the name of ONE woman who shares your birthday. Using information from the 'Biography' section of this web site, additional web links provided below, and classroom or library resources if you like, please research this particular woman to learn more.
3. Summarize your research findings in a no more than two page research paper. Be sure to include the woman's name, date of birth (and death), the country she lives or lived in, and explain what made her famous. Also explain what you believe is the most interesting thing about this woman. Please write down the name of the books or web sites that you used as resources.

   ---

Notable Women in History


AND


Distinquished Women of Past and Present

Activity:
1. Visit the first web site and select "Biographies of Notable Women" and also check the second web site and select the link to view 'Search by Name.' Look through the alphabetical list and see if you can find an entry about the woman you researched.
2. After sharing your written research summary (above) with your teacher, submit it to the Encyclopedia of Women's History by sending it in an e-mail message. Follow the directions provided by the 'Instructions' link.
3. If there was an entry for your woman, what was similar or different about the entries? What did you learn that was new? From your research, what did you discover that you have in common with the woman? What was different? (Please answer these questions using a word processor.)

---

First Ladies of the United States of America

Activity:
1. Discover the changing role of women in politics by looking at the role of the First Lady. On the Home page, click on "Bibliography" and select a First Lady from an early American presidency and one from more recent years. Read their biographies.
2. What was similar about their roles and what was different? Why do you think the roles have changed? Which role would you prefer to play? Why?
3. Imagine that you are the First Lady in the year 2050. You are getting ready to give a speech at a conference. Write what the host(ess) might say to introduce you. Include any information that would highlight your role in the White House. (Please answer these questions using a word processor.)

---

Women's Sports Foundation

Activity:

1. Throughout history, women have enjoyed participating in sports, but throughout history they were often excluded from training, athletic facilities, and competition. Today, women have many opportunities to display their outstanding athletic abilities.
2. Select four different sports of interest to you by reviewing the Sports Index (see page bottom). Examine information about a woman or organization associated with that sport. Did you learn anything that surprised or fascinated you about women in that sport? Why might women have been excluded?
3. Write down which woman you chose, the most fasinating piece of information about her, in your opinion, and select the one of your four that you would select for the Sports Hall of Fame. Write a brief profile that would accompany her picture to hand in the Hall of Fame.

---

The Women of NASA

Activity:
1. Discover all that women have done in the field of math and science! Explore the 'Women of NASA' by selecting the 'Profiles' link. Select a woman and read her biographical profile.
2. Consider the life of this woman and the steps she took to pursue her career. Think about your own life and what you might like to do 15 or 20 years from now (if can be in any field at all)..
3. Write your own biographical profile. What is your job title? What do you do everyday? What is most enjoyable about your job? Did you ever feel pressured to do something else? What were some obstacles you had to overcome to pursue this job?

---

Conclusion

History textbooks offer little information about the significant role women play in our society. Through this web site, you have explored a few women's contributions and discovered how their roles have changed over the years. Do you think it is important to learn more about women and their contributions to our history? Why? What might you do to help others learn more?

Want to discover more?

History of Women in Sports Timeline

National Women's Hall of Fame

Women in American History

---

Last Update June 2004
Dr. Joyce J. Valenza