2021 Women’s History Month Patch Program March is Women’s History Month (WHM), which is devoted to celebrating women’s often-overlooked contributions to United States' history, society, and culture. By signing Proclamation 5691 in 1987, President Ronald Reagan decreed that, in March, we should especially encourage others to study, commemorate, observe, and pay tribute to women—while recognizing their vital role in US history. This patch program is designed to help Girl Scouts honor important, historical women and learn about some of their significant contributions, which continue to influence our nation and the world.

DISCOVER (5 POINTS EACH) � The women’s suffrage movement was an � Find out about Mary Jackson, who was an important part of history. Read about the history aerospace engineer and Girl Scout leader for of Women’s Suffrage in Michigan and discuss over 30 years. Learn about her background, what you learn with your troop, friends, or family. personal/academic/official accomplishments, � Over the years, literature has empowered and her honors, awards, and legacy. women to express themselves on paper. Read a � Research the history of Girl Scouts: The book, play, or poem by a female writer and organization, mission, and/or at least one of the identify themes you notice throughout the work. former/current Girl Scouts who’s famous for her Suggested writers include Sandra Cisneros, Louise significant position in American history. Erdrich, Audre Lorde, and Virginia Woolf. o SENIORS & AMBASSADORS: Take this a step � Find out why we celebrate Women’s History further and research your selected piece. In Month and why it’s so important. what year was the literature written? What � Who are the women of the Supreme Court of was happening in the world during that time? the United States (SCOTUS)? Pick one and read/ Learn more about the author and her study her background, her personal or judicial upbringing. How does this additional accomplishments, and/or her history in the information help increase your understanding Supreme Court. of the book, play, or poem? � Either find out the identity of the first woman to � The 20th century was a transformative time for be sworn in as governor in the US or the first women in the public workforce, and that paved woman to be sworn in as governor in Michigan the way for our economic strides today. Research (or any other individual state). Think about her or visit a local, female-owned business. If you can, background and her personal, academic, or ask the owner how she started her business! official accomplishments. � Visit a local museum virtually or in person (if it’s � Who was Elizabeth Blackwell? Think about her safe). Find art pieces that you think display background, her legacy, and her personal, women’s history. Suggested museums include academic, or official accomplishments. the Arab American National Museum, Charles � Who was Shirley Chisholm? Think about her H. Wright Museum, Detroit Historical Museum, background, her legacy, and her personal, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. academic, or official accomplishments. � Think about a career that interests you and research women who already work in that field. � Discover a living or historical woman who you Try reaching out to one of them to learn more admire, and then tell someone about her. about her profession. If she’s local, try to schedule some time to shadow her at work! CONNECT (10 POINTS EACH) � Women are still making history today! Research a � Interview an elderly woman in your family, recent event, issue, or movement that interests neighborhood, or community. Ask her what it was you, and think about the impact it has on women like to be your age and how her experiences as a of different backgrounds. How do you think it’ll girl/woman have changed over time. Write down affect women’s history in the future? Share your something that surprises you from this conversation. thoughts with your troop, friends, or family. 2021 Women’s History Month Patch Program

TAKE ACTION (15 POINTS EACH) � Visit the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) website to learn about their mission and vision. If possible, get permission from a parent/legal guardian to attend one of their free March events. an impact on your community, as well as other girls and women. � In the featured biographies on the NWHM website, find at least two women who inspire you. Share � Read the article 50 Female Entrepreneurs who they are and why they inspired you with Everyone Should Know on Crunchbase. some friends and/or family, either virtually or in � Post about Women’s History Month on social person (if it’s safe). media. Explain what you’ve learned and start � Read Get With the Program: American Women a dialog with your friends/followers about how and the Invention of Computer Programming and significantly women have influenced US history. learn about some of the contributions women � Write a thank-you note to a woman who inspires have made in STEM fields. you. � Find a movie or documentary that depicts � Host an event to celebrate women virtually or in women overcoming a social struggle, and hold person (if it’s safe). Suggested activities include: a viewing with friends and/or family, either o Watching a movie with a female lead who virtually or in person (if it’s safe). Then discuss supports women’s empowerment and/ the film’s significance with attendees. Suggested or struggles. movies include Iron Jawed Angels, On the Basis o Listening to music by your favorite female of Sex, North Country, Erin Brockovich, and artist(s)/band(s). Norma Rae. o Writing positive affirmations on note cards and passing them out to attendees. Note: Please get permission from your parent/ o Sharing inspirational quotes from women. legal guardian to hold the showing, and make o Showcasing famous artwork created sure that the film’s subject matter and rating by women. are appropriate for all attendees. o Having a mini celebration and giving awards � Interview the owner(s) of a woman-owned to attendees that honor their resilience, business in your community. This can be done compassion, and accomplishments. virtually, by telephone, by email, or in person (if it’s safe). Find out how she became a business owner and her business’ form of ownership (a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or cooperative). Read more about business ownership at G2’s Learning Hub. � Come up with your own woman-owned business, including its name and form of ownership (refer to the bullet point above). Share your idea with friends, family, or Girl Scout Sisters and tell them how your woman-owned business would make

NUMBER OF POINTS REQUIRED PER GRADE LEVEL Daisy Brownie Junior Cadette Senior Ambassador 15 25 35 45 55 65