Community Cultural & Diversity Calendar

Stay in the know about what’s happening around Spokane!
Stop here to find family-friendly, educational, and racial & social justice oriented events going on in or around the area.

Women’s history month

National Women’s History Month began as a single week and as a local event. In 1978, Sonoma County, California, sponsored a women’s history week to promote the teaching of women’s history. The week of March 8 was selected to include “International Women’s Day.” This day is rooted in such ideas and events as a woman’s right to vote and a woman’s right to work, women’s strikes for bread, women’s strikes for peace at the end of World War I, and the U.N. Charter declaration of gender equality at the end of World War II. This day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. In 1981, Congress passed a resolution making the week a national celebration, and in 1987 expanded it to the full month of March. The 2023 Women’s History theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade. This theme encourages recognition of women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, and more. For more information visit here.

international women’s day

March 8 marks the 1857 revolt of women in New York City protesting conditions in the U.S. textile and garment industries. It acknowledges the contributions made by working women. The theme for 2023’s International Women’s Day, is “#EmbraceEquity.”  Imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA. And it’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality. Learn more here.

irish american heritage month

A month to honor the contributions of over 44 million Americans who trace their roots to Ireland. Celebrations include celebrating St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) with parades, family gathering, masses, dances, etc. Due to COVID-19, many of these events have been cancelled. For more information, visit the Irish-American Heritage Month website.

Events In Spokane – MARCH 2023

The below list of Spokane area diversity/cultural events and activities were compiled and provided by Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora. If you know of a diversity/cultural event open to the public that you would like added to this diversity monthly calendar, please e-mail Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora at yvonnecmz04@gmail.com with event details.

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Local Events In Spokane

  • Dancing with Life: Mexican Masks
    These masks are a fascinating window into Mexican culture, they are saintly, colorful, grotesque, and humorous looking. With a regional focus in Michoacán, Mexico, this exhibit features more than 50 dance masks with roots in the celebration of religious holidays, as well as dance costumes and videos featuring the artists and dancers. Across Mexico, mask-making is a vibrant and playful art form, depicting everything from animals, devils, and holy figures, to celebrities from contemporary politics and culture.
    Dates: September 3, 2022 – April 16, 2023
    Time: Tuesday- Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, 3rd Thursday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
    Location: Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W First Ave
    Cost: $7.00 – $12.00
    For more information visit their website.
  • Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes
    Savages and Princesses brings together 12 contemporary Native American visual artists who reclaim their identities by replacing stereotypical images that fill the pop culture landscape. Using humor, subtlety, and irony, the telling is always honest and unequivocal. Images and styles are created from traditional, contemporary, and mass culture forms.
    Dates: November 10, 2022 – March 19, 2023
    Time: Tuesday- Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, 3rd Thursday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
    Location: Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W First Ave
    Cost: $7.00 – $12.00, children 5 and under free
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Winter Stories
    Come learn how to make Native American regalia while listening to story-telling. Bead or loom, make a ribbon skirt or shirt, make a pair of moccasins.
    Date: Thursday, December 15, 2022 weekly until end of May 2023
    Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Location: American Indian Community Center, 1025 W Indiana Ave
    Cost: Free
  • Mardi Bras
    A month-long fundraiser for both Volunteers of America and Transitions’ Women’s Hearth. Host a Mardi Bras party and invite friends! Most needed items include: bus passes, deodorant, socks, bras, tampons and underwear.
    Dates: Wednesday-Tuesday, February 1, 2023 – March 3, 2023
    Location: Drop off collected items on March 3, 2023 from 2pm to 4 pm at Hope House, 318 S Adams St
    Cost: cost of donated items
    For more information, email info@help4women.org or call 509-328-6702.
  • Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence
    Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence showcases a new form of bead art, the ndwango, developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using skills handed down through generations and working in their own unique style “directly from the soul,” according to artist Ntombephi Ntobela, the women create abstract and figurative subjects for their exquisite ndwangos. Savages and Princesses brings together 12 contemporary Native American visual artists who reclaim their identities by replacing stereotypical images that fill the pop culture landscape. Using humor, subtlety, and irony, the telling is always honest and unequivocal. Images and styles are created from traditional, contemporary, and mass culture forms.
    Dates: February 3 – April 30, 2023
    Time: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, 3rd Thursday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.
    Location: NW Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W First Ave
    Cost: $7.00 – $12.00, children 5 and under are free
    For more information, visit their website.
  • 2023 Fig Tree Lunch Benefit – Sharing Resources, Transforming Lives
    Featuring recent stories of people whose lives who have been transformed by the Resource Directory. Guests are asked to donate to The Fig Tree.
    Date: Friday. March 3, 2023
    Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
    Location: Cataldo Hall, Gonzaga University
    Cost: Free
    For more information and to register, email event@thefigtree.org.
  • Sensory Storytime
    Sensory Storytime is for those who need extra sensory support, including children, adults, their families and caregivers. Along with reading books, this interactive story time has activities for sensory exploration, such as music, art, and movement.
    Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
    Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Location: Cheney Public Library, 610 First St. Cheney
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit here or call 509-893-8280.
  • Irish Music with Arvid Lundin & Deep Roots
    Arvid Lundin and Deep Roots play a high energy mix of instrumental music and songs drawn from traditional and contemporary sources. Celebrate the luck of the Irish with music that will have your toes tapping and your heart soaring!
    Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Location: North Spokane Library, 44 Hawthorne Rd
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, visit here or call 509-893-8390.
  • My Name Is Andrea – Documentary Screening
    In honor of International Women’s Day, a global holiday celebrated on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement – bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women – the Alliance for Media Arts + Culture presents the award- winning documentary, My Name is Andrea, by Pratibha Parmar. A poetry performance will follow the screening.
    Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm
    Location: Magic Lantern, 25 W Main Ave
    Cost: unknown
    For more information, email Wendy Levy at wendy@thealliance.media.
  • Destination Jalisco Mexico
    Learn to make traditional beef Birria, tortillas from scratch, rice and beans, and flan.
    Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
    Time: 5:30 pm
    Location: Wanderlust Delicato, 421 W Main Ave
    Cost: $75.00
    For more information, visit their website or call 509-822-7087.
  • Hispanic Business / Professional Association (HBPA) Monthly Meeting
    Speaker (Sabes Que): TBA
    Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm
    Location: TBD
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Virtual Book Club in Spanish: No One Writes to the Colonel
    Discuss the book, No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel García Márquez in Spanish and meet online over Zoom. The book club is for adults who want to increase their confidence in reading in Spanish.
    Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Location: On-line
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit here. Register here.
  • 2023 Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon
    Recipients of the 2023 Women of Achievement awards are celebrated at this luncheon which has evolved into YWCA Spokane’s largest and most critical annual fundraising event. In addition to honoring amazing women and learning about the mission and impact of YWCA Spokane, we will be inspired by keynote Admiral Michelle Howard. All proceeds raised support YWCA Spokane’s critical services for domestic violence victims and their children, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal services, job readiness, child care, and pre-K programs for low-income children.
    Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
    Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Location: Davenport Grand, 333 W Spokane Falls Blvd
    Cost: $135 individual ticket, $1350 for table for Non-profits, $2000 | $3000 for Corporate Table
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Discover Your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors
    Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy topics with Ulster Historical Foundation director, Fintan Mullan, and chief researcher, Gillian Hunt.
    Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
    Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Location: Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N William St, Post Falls
    Cost: $50.00
    For more information, visit their website or call Jan Clizer at 208.771.2912. To register, visit here or here.
  • Caring for Our Common Home, in This World and With This Climate
    Cardinal Michael Czerny, Pope Francis’ choice to lead the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the climate crisis and become a better caretaker of the planet, will travel from Rome to speak at his alma mater. His talk will explore the intersections between faith, climate change, and Gonzaga’s role in “caring for our common home.” Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J. (Gonzaga Class of ‘68), is Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, overseeing the Catholic Church’s efforts to assure humanity’s ability to live in dignity. His work involves the science of climate change, migration patterns, social services, global economics and more.
    Date: Thursday. March 9, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Location: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Gonzaga University
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information and to register, visit here.
  • 43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
    This event is open to all regardless of race, creed or color, everyone has just that wee bit of Irish that comes out in full spirit, whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Irish person or just Irish-for-the-day, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
    Date: Saturday. March 11, 2023
    Time: noon
    Location: downtown Spokane
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit their website or email friendlysonsofspokane@gmail.com.
  • 2023 Women of Distinction Honorees and Fundraiser
    The Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho will honor eleven recipients at the Sweets Before Supper Gala. Event starts with fun tastings of Girl Scout Cookie inspired, bite sized desserts made by six local chefs. Followed by dinner and the 2023 Women of Distinction celebration while showcasing what Girl Scouts is about: building girls of courage, confidence, and character.
    Date: Saturday. March 11, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Location: The Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W Spokane Falls Blvd
    Cost: $100.00
    To register, visit here.
  • Irish Ceili and Contra Dance
    Caitlin Trusler teaches Irish social dances with reels, quadrilles, and couple dances. Penn Fix will call the general dancing. Music by Banna Damhsa, a dance band in Gaelic.
    Date: Saturday. March 11, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
    Location: East Spokane Grange, 1621 N Park Rd
    Cost: $7:00 members / $10.00 non-members
    For more information, call 509-928-0692.
  • Drag On Ice: A Fairy’s Tale Presented by Eagle Entertainment, EWU Pride Center and Spokane AIDS Network
    Benefits Spokane AIDS Network
    Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Location: Eastern Washington University Recreation Center, Ice Arena
    For more information, please contact csosa@ewu.edu.
  • The Man Who Survived 12 Concentration Camps – Survival and Triumph-Joseph Alexander
    Joe Alexander is a 100-year-old Holocaust survivor who lived through 12 concentration camps and an infamous death march. Be inspired by his courage and story of survival against all odds. If you would like to sponsor an attendee, visit here. Sponsored by Chabad Center of Spokane.
    Date: Monday. March 13, 2023
    Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
    Location: Spokane Convention Center, Ballroom 100AB, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd
    Cost: $25.00 (General Admission), $35.00 (Premium Seating), $15.00 (Students with student ID), $20.00 (Senior), and $180 (VIP). Tickets are available through Tickets West.
    To more information visit here; call 509-279-700 or email rabbihahn@gmail.com.
  • Irish Music with Arvid Lundin and Deep Roots
    Arvid Lundin and Deep Roots play a high energy mix of instrumental music and songs drawn from traditional and contemporary sources. Celebrate the luck of the Irish with music that will have your toes tapping and your heart soaring!
    Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Location: Airway Heights Public Library, 1213 S Lundstrom St
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, visit their website or call 509-893-8250.
  • 2023 Fig Tree Breakfast Benefit – Sharing Resources, Transforming Lives
    Featuring recent stories of people whose lives who have been transformed by the Resource Directory. Guests are asked to donate to The Fig Tree.
    Date: Wednesday. March 15, 2023
    Time: 7:45 am – 8:45 am
    Location: via Zoom
    Cost: Free
    For more information and to register, email event@thefigtree.org.
  • How Latina/Latino Representation Can Improve Democracy
    Latinas/Latinos, the largest ethno-racial group in Washington State and in the nation, are grossly underrepresented in powerful segments of society, contributing to what some scholars refer to as a “demographic divide.”
    While the United States is an increasingly diverse society, this diversity is not reflected in important spheres of influence and power. In one example, Latinas/Latinos represent just 2% of full-time faculty at degree granting institutions, yet Latina/Latino students are the fastest growing demographic on college campuses. What needs to be done to increase academic representation?
    Drawing from interviews, policy analysis, and personal experience, Professor Maria Chávez investigates the obstacles contributing to this underrepresentation and explores ideas for how to move toward a more inclusive society and a healthier multiracial democracy.
    Maria Chávez (she/her) is a professor of political science at Pacific Lutheran University specializing in American government, public policy, race, and politics. As a first-generation college graduate, her work centers on the progress and barriers of Latinas/Latinos in the United States. Chávez lives in Lacey. Sponsored by Humanities Washington. Hosted by STORM Collaborative and King ECO Net.
    Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023
    Time: 1:00 pm
    Location: On-line
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information and to register, visit here.
  • Stories of Intersex and Faith Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion with Dr. Megan DeFranz
    This documentary shares the stories of five intersex people who find healing, courage, and hope. After the screening, theologian and filmmaker, Dr. Megan DeFranza, will lead a panel discussion with two of the people featured in the film.
    “Caught in the crossfire at the intersection of medicine, politics, and religion, perfectly healthy intersex children are being surgically altered to look more like typical girls and boys. Surgeries and hormone replacements are begun before children can consent causing physical and psychological harm. These procedures have been identified as Human Rights Violations by the United Nations but continue in the United States every day. Uncovering the truth about their bodies, five intersex people break the silence about their physical differences. Coming from Christian and Jewish families they show how religion can and has been a tool to support secrecy and surgeries but how their own faith has also helped them find healing, courage, and hope.”
    Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm
    Location: Weyerhaeuser Hall, Robinson Teaching Theatre, 107 auditorium
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information and to register, visit their website.
  • Sensory Storytime
    Sensory Storytime is for those who need extra sensory support, including children, adults, their families and caregivers. Along with reading books, this interactive story time has activities for sensory exploration, such as music, art, and movement.
    Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
    Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Location: Cheney Public Library, 610 First St
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit their website or call 509-893-8280.
  • 30th Anniversary Powwow
    All dancers in regalia will receive $30 during the 7 p.m. grand entry to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
    Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
    Time: 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
    Location: Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S Nukwalqw St
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Woman’s Club Open House
    We are having a membership drive and overall raising awareness of the value of the Woman’s Club to our community. Please join us for this free event! We will be showcasing what’s been going on at the club, dance classes by Woodside Swing and Folklore Society, history lectures on local Spokane women’s history; community support to Afghan women. See our beautiful historic venue as a space for your next celebration! Vintage wedding inspiration display. Tea will be served.
    Date: Sunday, March 19 & 26, 2023
    Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Location: Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W 9th Ave
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, contact info@thewomansclubofspokane.org.
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure in the Face of a Changing Climate
    Speaker: Kevin Kunz. As communities across the nation experience changes to weather patterns, the ability for utility infrastructure (water, internet, and energy) to recover appropriately from storm events is facing unprecedented challenges. Rethinking the way we design and operate basic utility presents an opportunity to build resilient infrastructure. The sidewalk retrofit design concept presented challenges current transportation practices, with the inclusion of bi-facial solar, low frequency broadband, and innovative green infrastructure practices that provide communities with proactive, rather than reactive, utility management solutions.
    Date: Monday, March 20, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
    Location: Hemmingson Center, Gonzaga University, 702 E Desmet Ave
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information and to register, visit their website.
  • NAACP General Membership Meeting
    Note new meeting day and time: 2023 meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month with rotating locations. This meeting will be a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting with dinner and social from 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm. The meetings will rotate locations.
    Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm
    Location: TBA and on-line
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, contact spkncpbr@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.
  • Elk Soup Presents: Live Native Art Auction
    There will be up to 20 artists for the live auction in-person. 90% of the proceeds go to the artists and 10% Elk Soup, a Native led 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. There will be local vendors and artist booths for additional art sales. Supported by the Gonzaga University Provost’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences, and Native American Studies Program.Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
    Time: 10:00am – 7:00pm; auction starts at 4:00pm
    Location: Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, Globe Room, 502 E Boone Ave
    Cost: Free entry
    For more information, contact Jeff Ferguson at ElkSoupED@gmail.com or (509) 218-1929 or visit their Facebook event page.
  • All the Rage: How American Politics Boiled Over
    Name-calling, shouting matches, cutting off relatives, and even violence born of intense disagreements—there is bipartisan agreement that the current state of politics in the United States is troubling. How did we get here, and what can we, as a society and as individuals, do about it?
    Professor Steven Stehr investigates the roots and consequences of the dysfunction that characterizes the current state of politics in America. Stehr leads a conversation that asks, how did our political spaces become war zones? To what extent is the lack of civility and policy gridlock driven by long-term trends in American society? Is contemporary America somehow different than the way it was in the past? Was there ever a “golden age” of bipartisanship and civility in the United States?
    Using historical examples and contemporary cases, Stehr shows audiences how the erosion of civil discourse harms democracy, and what can be done to combat it.
    Steven Stehr (he/him) is the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility at Washington State University. He earned his PhD in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Stehr lives in Moscow, Idaho. Sponsored by Humanities Washington. Hosted by Magnolia United Church of Christ.
    Date: Monday, March 20, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm
    Location: On-line
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information and to register, visit here.
  • Matthew Shepherd is a Friend of Mine: Documentary Screening
    This film explores the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepherd, a gay University of Wyoming student murdered in Laramie, WY in 1998. Matthew’s story is still relevant 25 years later.
    Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    Location: Hemmingson Auditorium, Gonzaga University
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit here. To register, contact LGBT@Gonzaga.Edu.
  • Irish Debate Exhibition with Forensics Team
    See the touring Irish national debate champions in a public exhibition with Whitworth’s own Forensics team. This event is connected with the Spokane Sister Cities Association.
    Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Location: Weyerhaeuser Hall, Robinson Teaching Theatre, 107 Auditorium
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information and to register, visit here.
  • Monica De La Torre
    Author Monica De La Torre is an Assistant Professor in the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University and author of Feminista Frequencies: Community Building Through Radio in the Yakima Valley. Dr. De La Torre’s presentation will be a conversation about community engagement, feminist theory and practice, and media services.
    Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
    Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Location: College Common Humanities Building, 1002 N Astor, Gonzaga University
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information or questions, contact Dr. Noralis Rodriguez-Cross at rodriguez-cross@gonzaga.edu.
  • The Legacy of Matthew Shepherd
    Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother, will talk about the impacts of hate crimes, LGBTQ+ supportive legislative work, and what everyone can do to support the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s ongoing work to make the world a safer and more affirming place for people of various sexual orientation, gender identities, and other marginalized communities. This event is hosted by the Lincoln LGBTQ+ as part of the Scott Wilburn Speaker Series.
    Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
    Location: Coughlin Theatre, Gonzaga University
    Cost: Free
    For more information and to register, visit here or email LGBT@Gonzaga.Edu.
  • Fighting for Love Strong Women in Onscreen Romances
    How do film and television portray romance for strong, independent women? Why should we care? Join Professor Allison Palumbo as they explore 40 years of fighting female characters onscreen—from private eyes to cops and spies—who struggle to find love. Even in these fictional worlds where anything should be possible, romantic relationships tend to disempower female-bodied characters, no matter how kick-ass or otherwise empowered they might seem.
    Learn how love has been constructed in American culture based on heterosexual norms and power dynamics that favor men’s strength and independence. How do America’s ideals for romance create inequitable relationships? How can we imagine more inclusive and equitable ways of loving?
    Allison Palumbo (they/them), or “Dr. P,” is a professor of English and gender studies at Big Bend Community College. They have presented their research as a cultural critic and feminist scholar at the Seattle Institute for Film and the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. Palumbo lives in Moses Lake. Sponsored by Humanities Washington. Hosted by Spokane Public Library.
    Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm
    Location: Shadle Library, 2111 W Wellesley Ave
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit here.
  • An Evening of Sharing with Amazing Women Authors & Writers
    Featuring Ms. Stephy Nobles-Beans, Dr. Shakesha Costict, Mrs. Jaime Perkins-Stacy, Ms. Gaye Hallman, Ms. Latrice Williams
    Date: Friday, March 24, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Location: Carl Maxey Center
  • Disability Mobility and Aging Convention
    The Inaugural Inland Northwest Disability Mobility and Aging Convention will feature booths from local resources, programs and businesses that offer services/products to those with disabilities, mobility challenges, and aging challenges. Sensory-friendly room, door prizes, and a wide variety of presentations will also be available.
    Date: Friday, March 25, 2023
    Time: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Location: The Hive, 2904 E Sprague Ave
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information and to register, visit their website.
  • Imaginarium
    Discover new ways to play together and spark your young one’s healthy mental, social, and emotional growth. Meet other families, eat a healthy snack, and get creative in a relaxed and supportive environment. For ages 3-6.
    Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023
    Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Location: Spark Central, 1214 W Summit Parkway
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Sensory Storytime
    Sensory Storytime is for those who need extra sensory support, including children, adults, their families and caregivers. Along with reading books, this interactive story time has activities for sensory exploration, such as music, art, and movement.
    Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023
    Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
    Location: Cheney Public Library, 610 First St, Cheney
    Cost: Free
    For more information visit, their website or call 509-893-8280.
  • KPBX Kids’ Concert: Celtic Dance Party with Floating Crowbar
    Celtic fans and dancers of all ages can frolic to the sounds of western Ireland with music from Floating Crowbar at our FREE live concert. Floating Crowbar plays authentic jigs, reels, and horn pipes that serve as the soundtrack for this wicked annual dance party! Don’t know how to jig? No worries! Dancers from MSD Irish Dance Academy will provide a live Irish dance tutorial.
    Date: Saturday. March 25, 2023
    Time: 1:00 pm
    Location: Riverside Place, 1110 W Riverside Ave
    Cost: Free
    For more information, visit their website.
  • Art in Spanish: Mexican Tin Art
    Listen to a story, make a craft inspired by hojalata (Mexican tin art) and chat with other children in Spanish while you create. This program is intended for children who understand basic Spanish and want to practice speaking Spanish with kids their age. For children in grades 2-4 and their families.
    Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
    Location: Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E Main Ave
    Cost: Free, registration required
    For more information, visit their website. Register here.
  • Uncovered: The Secrets We Hide
    Join us for a premier screening event brought to the community by North Town Insurance. This event features four short documentaries and keynote speaker, Leon Logothetis, a global adventurer, TV host, motivational speaker, and best-seller.
    Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Location: Garland Theater, 924 W Garland Ave
    Cost: $28.77
    For more information and to register, visit their website.
  • Terrain Gallery Fundraiser
    Terrain Gallery is hosting a fundraiser show featuring artwork from a variety of local artists. Each artwork will be available for $200/each. All proceeds go directly toward keeping the gallery open.
    Date/time(s): Friday, March 31, 2023, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Saturday, April 1, 2023, noon – 7:00 pm
    Location: Terrain Gallery, 628 Monroe St
    Cost: Free, open to all
    For more information, visit their website.

SAVE THE DATE

Documentary Screening & Discussion: America’s Truth
There will be a screening of America’s Truth, followed by a facilitated discussion with a local panel and the producer, Dr. Wendy Ellis. America’s Truth chronicles the policies and practices that led to the development of and disinvestment in America cities.
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
Location: Northeast Community Center, Assembly Room, 4001 N Cook St
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00pm
Cost: $10
For more information and to register, visit their website.

Building Community Resilience By Increasing Hope with Dr. Wendy Ellis
Join us to learn more about local data from the Spokane Regional Health District Quality of Life survey, how community environments and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are connected using the ‘Pair of ACEs’ framing, and how to use Dr. Sege’s HOPE framework to build a resilient Spokane County where every child and family can thrive.
Dr. Wendy Ellis is an Assistant Professor in Global Health and the Director of the Center for Community Resilience at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. The Center for Community Resilience seeks to improve the health of communities by enabling cross-sectoral partners to align policy, program and practice to address adverse childhood experiences in the context of adverse community environments–or as Ellis has coined it ‘The Pair of ACEs.’ This innovative framing of ACEs, with an explicit focus on equity and prevention, has had a substantial influence on local initiatives, programs, public health initiatives and local, state and federal policy.
Using the Pair of ACEs framing, Building Community Resilience networks have successfully led systems and policy change focused on addressing long-standing economic, social and health disparities by partnering with community, integrating service delivery and building political will for change.
Lunch will be provided. Scholarships available on request. Sponsored by SRHD and Empire Health Foundation.
Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30pm
Location: The Hive, 2904 E Sprague Ave
Cost: $45 for members; $55 for non-members
For more information and to register, visit their website here.

7th Annual Gonzaga International Conference on Hate Studies
Theme: Challenges of Hate in the 21st Century. In this time of political divisiveness, racial inequity, extremism, and climate injustice, the importance of understanding how the processes of dehumanization and othering harm communities and the world in which we live is as critical as ever. This is an in-person event. Hybrid options may be available.
Dates: Thursday-Saturday, April 20-22, 2023
Location: Spokane Community College, 1819 N Greene St
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday; 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday; 9:00 am – 4:30 pm on Saturday
Cost: early registration through March 15 $250 which includes banquet; March 16, cost $300, includes banquet
For more information, visit their website.

2023 Get Lit! Festival – 25th Anniversary
Get Lit! is excited to announce that the current U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, will be one of 2023’s headlining authors. Ada will be participating in an evening reading and conversation with other writers and she will also be teaching a craft class! Authors, times and locations to be announced later.
Date: April 20-23, 2023
Time: various
Location: TBA
Cost: TBA
For more information, visit their website.

African American Graduation
Honoring K-12 and College and University African-American Graduates.
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Cataldo Room, Gonzaga University
Cost: Free, registration required
For more information and to register, visit their website.

Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Day
Live performances, cultural demonstrations, food trucks, historical exhibits, and luau, with over 120 vendors!
Date(s): Friday & Saturday, May 12-13, 2023
For more information, contact charitydoyl@yahoo.com or 509-928-9664.

If you know of diversity/cultural events open to the public that you would like added to the monthly calendar, please e-mail Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora at yvonnecmz04@gmail.com with event details.

For other general events in Spokane, visit Visit Spokane or Spokane 7.

Radio

Democracy Now!
Day: Monday – Friday
Time: 8:00 am – 9:00 am; 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
A national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Pioneering the largest public media collaboration in the U.S. democracynow.org. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Democracy Now! Headlines in Spanish
Date: Saturdays
Time: 7:00 am – 8:00 am
Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, democracynow.org. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Dragonflies on Thin Air
Day: Sundays
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
One of the few elementary age children’s radio shows in the country produced by kids for kids. The program is fun and educational for children and adults, and includes a mix of jokes, music, guests, stories, poetry, trivia. and more. Includes Alice, Elenor C., Lily, Rowan, Sicely, Finn, Eleanor M., Sophia, Aleric, and Amara who all go to Spokane Public Montessori Elementary School. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Earth Matters Now!
Date: Tuesdays
Time: noon – 1:00 pm
Providing a unique perspective on environmental news, issues and science to inform, educate, enable and create a platform for positive environmental action. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Generational Warfare
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Join host Ry the Y as he battles with his Gen Z co-hosts, Zakris and Ezekiel. The three friends, alongside guests from the community, grapple with generational divides — both the silly and the seemingly irreconcilable. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Latin Lounge
Day: Mondays
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A wide spectrum of Latin music, hosted by “Corazon.” Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Nacho Celtic Hour
Day: Sunday
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Caridwen Irvine-Spatz is the host of the Nacho Celtic Hour, a program that explores acoustic music from many traditions but mainly focused on music from the Celtic diaspora- especially if it has a local connection. Lately the show has been featuring music from Ukraine. Listen on KPBX at 91.1 or visit their website.

Out and About
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4:00 pm – 4:55 pm
Consists of a variety of LGBTQ, local news, locally produced, music and public Affairs. Host and producer Maeve Griffith. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Page Turner Show
Date: Fridays
Time: 1:00 pm
Discussions with various folks.
Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

The Persian Hour
Day: Saturdays
Time: noon – 1:00 pm
The Persian Hour is hosted by Shahrokh Nikfar and consists of a variety of Iranian music from hip hop to traditional, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and the usual. He also shares stories, recipes, and interviews. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Queens of Noise
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hosted by Luscious Duchess, you will hear best in female vocalists/musicians. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at kyrs.org.

The Spanish Hour
Day: Monday
Time: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Candice Agree invites everyone who has an interest in, a fascination of, and a love for the cultural life of Spain and
the Spanish-speaking world to tune in to this unique classical music program.
Listen on KPBX at 91.1 orvisit their website.

Spokane Public Radio, KPBX 91.1, An NPR Member Station
Various programs and news throughout the day.
Listen at 91.1. KPBX
For more information on programs, visit their website.

Sounds of Science
Day: Sundays
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Lively discussion of what’s happening in the world of science, from how it affects our lives to the ways we shape it. Hosted by Blake, Amaya, and Adam. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Welcome Home
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00 am – noon
A multi-genre roots based folk show. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Women’s Media Center Live
Day: Wednesdays
Time: noon – 1:00 pm
WMC Live with Robin Morgan tackles today’s hottest topics; whether it be sex, politics, art, humor, religion, culture, or news stories that go unreported, each episode is engaged regularly, insightfully, and intelligently. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

Workin’ Woman Blues
Day: Sundays
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tunes to help you shake the blues out of your hair with a mix of funk, R&B, soul and blues, hosted by Jukebox Jennie. Listen on 88.1 FM, 92.3 FM or stream on-line at KYRS Thin Air Community Radio.

March 2023 International/National Cultural Celebrations

March 1

Martenitza – Bulgaria, Romania
Bulgarians celebrate spring by exchanging red and white yarn designs to symbolize health. They wear the yarn designs on their clothing until they see a stork or a blossoming tree.

St. David’s Day – Wales
Celebrates Saint David, or known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, the patron saint of Wales who died on this day.

Chalanda Marz – Switzerland
Children go from door to door singing and receive sweets in return.

Independence Day – Bosnia & Hetzegovina
Yearly celebration of their independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992.

March 2

Alá – Bahá’Í
19-day fast begins through March 19. The 19th and final month in the Baha’i calendar and the time of the 19-day fast in preparation of their new year, Now Ruz. The English translation of Alá (Arabic) is loftiness.

March 3

World Day of Prayer – International
Held on the first Friday of March,  World Day of Prayer is a movement of Christian women of many traditions who came together in 1927 to observe a common day of prayer each year. A movement initiated and carried out in more than 170 countries and regions bringing together women of various races, cultures, and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding, and action.

March 6

Independence Day – Ghana
Commemorates the date in 1957 when the Gold Coast became an independent member of the British Commonwealth.

Purim – Jewish
Purim is known as the Feast of Lots, which celebrates the deliverance of Jews in Persia from the machinations of Haman. Jews dress in costume and gifts of food to each other.

March 7

Holi Sikh – Hindu
According to myth, a tyrannical king’s son, PraHlad, refused to worship his father as God and was condemned to death by burning. However, the boy’s aunt, Holika, transferred her own immunity from fire to Prahlad, and burned to death in his place. This festival of color celebrates Spring, where people play with liquid and powdered colors, light bonfires, and blow horns to celebrate the destruction of Holika.

Butter Lamp Festival – (Tibet), Buddhist
Shakyamuni’s victory over non-Buddhist opponents in 1409. Lord Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter lumps.

March 8

International Women’s Day – UN
Marks the 1857 revolt of women in New York City protesting conditions in the U.S. textile and garment industries. It acknowledges the contributions made by working women.

Hola Mohalla (Bikarami) – Sikh
Mock battles are fought and martial arts are displayed in honor of Guru Gobind Sing, who took to armed struggle against tyranny.

March 12

Girl Scout Day – USA, Canada
Juliette ‘Daisy’ Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, GA on March 12, 1912, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually, with the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community.

National Day – Mauritius
Celebrates the day of independence from the UK in 1968.

Daylight Savings Time Begins – USA
The practice of advancing clocks in 48 of the USA states during summer months (mid-March-early November) so that evening daylight lasts longer. This act does sacrifice normal sunrise times.

March 15

Memorial Day – Hungary
Commemorates the 1848 day of movement toward independence from the Austrian Empire.

March 16

Gahambar Hamaspathmaedem (March 16-20) – Zoroastrian
This day celebrates the creation of human beings.

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day – N. Ireland/Ireland/USA
Commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, who converted the island to Christianity in 432 AD. Tradition says that St. Patrick died on this date in 461 AD. He used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity, thus the idea of wearing a shamrock.

March 18

Flag Day – Aruba
The flag of Aruba was officially adopted on March 18, 1976, along with the official anthem.

March 19

St. Joseph’s Day – Christian
Celebrated throughout most of Italy and by the Italian communities in North America. He was the foster father of Jesus and is the universal patron of the Catholic Church. According to legend, when a severe drought struck western Sicily in the Middle Ages, the people of that area prayed to St. Joseph, asking him to intercede for them and send rain. Their prayers were granted and since then, they honor St. Joseph by helping the needy in their community.

Mothering Sunday – UK, Ireland
The UK celebrates motherhood and takes place the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, children bring gifts of flowers and chocolates to their mothers. It originated with the Victorian practice of allowing servants to return home to visit their mothers on this day.

March 20

Spring Equinox – International
In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins today with the vernal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of autumn. The daylight length is virtually the same everywhere today – 12 hours, 8 minutes.

Eostre – Wicca
A fertility festival celebrating the birth of Spring. The word ‘Easter’ is derived from the maiden goddess. Celebrations including lighting fires at sunrise, ringing bells, and decorating hard-boiled eggs, an ancient Pagan custom associated with the goddess.

Shunki-Sorei-Sai – Shinto
Ancestors are given reverence at home altars and considered active members of the living family. Gravesites are cleaned and purified.

Shunbun no Hi – Japan
During the time of the Spring Equinox, Buddhists meditate on the harmony in the universe.

Poutuerangi – Indigenous/Maori, New Zealand
From Aboriginal roots of the Maori in New Zealand, Poutuerangi is celebrated. This is Fall season and Autumn Equinox in the Maori calendar when they harvest crops. Great feasting and celebrating go on this time of year.

Independence Day – Tunisia
Celebrates the day in 1956 when the country was formally recognized as independent from France.

Day of the Francophone
Celebrates the French language and Francophone culture.

March 21

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – UN
A day to promote efforts to eradicate racial discrimination worldwide and also to remember the killing of 69 protesters against injustice in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960.

Harmony Day – Australia
Harmony Day, which began in 1999, occurs on 21 March each year and celebrates Australia’s success as a diverse society united by a common set of values.

Now Ruz (New Year) – Afghanistan, Iran, Bahá’Í, Islam, Ismaili, Zoroastrain
Nowruz means “New Day” and is the traditional celebration of the ancient Persian New year. Persians (Iranians, Afghans and Tajiks) and other Indo-Iranian groups (Kurds, Armenians, Azarbaijanis and Balochs) start preparing for the Nowruz with a major spring cleaning of their house and the purchase of new clothes to wear for the new year. They visit the elders of their family, then the rest of their family and finally, their friends. On the 13th day, families leave their homes and picnic outdoors.

March 22

Emancipation Day – Puerto Rico
Commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1873.

World Water Day – UN
Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of fresh water. It provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon previous World Water Days to highlight the two-way relationship between water and the work agenda in the quest for sustainable development.

March 23

Ramadan Begins – Islam
This is the holiest month in the Islamic Year and begins at the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates the period during the Prophet Mohammad received divine revelations. Observing Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset during the entire month, read the Quran, and worship in the mosque or at home. The sates vary by a day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or the North American Calendar is being observed. This calendar follows the North American dates which is a day later.

World Meteorological Day – UN
Commemorates the 1950 day of the convention that created the World Meteorological Organization.

March 25

Feast of the Annunciation – Christian
Nine months before Christmas, Archangel Gabriel came to Mary of Nazareth and told her she would bear the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Evangelismou – Greece
The Greeks combined the national Independence Day with the Annunciation and what was earlier believed to be the spring equinox. Greeks wear traditional clothes and celebrate with speeches and folk dancing.

March 26

Birth of Prophet Zarathustra (Fasli) – Zoroastrian
Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarhosht in India and Persia) is the founder of the Zoroastrian religion dating back to sometime between 1500 and 1000 BC. He lived in Persia, modern day Iran.

Independence Day – Bangladesh
Commemorates the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

Kuhio Day – Hawai’i
A state holiday, it celebrates Prince Kuhio birthday in 1871. Prince Kuhio is remembered for actively promoting Hawaiian culture and getting Congress to pass the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Act, providing homesteads for native Hawaiians.

March 30

Ram Navami Hindu
Celebrates the birthday of Rama, the seventh incarnation of God Vishu. Hindus read the Ramayan, a Hindu epic, which tells the story of Rama, during the previous eight days.

Source: Diversity/Cultural Celebrations from Creative Cultural Communications 2023 Diversity Calendar.

In March, we honor and celebrate Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance celebrates all women who tell our stories and picture: Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Jovita Idar, Maya Angelou Gerda Lerner, Gloria Steinem, Winona La Duke, Lillian Hellman, Betty Soskin, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. 

On March 8, 2023, we honor and celebrate International Women’s Day. Defining Equality and Equity follows their 2023 theme #EmbraceEquity from https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EquityEquality.

Let’s start with a basic definition of each word.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Examples of key differences:
Let’s hear from Belgium-based YouTuber Tamara Makoni, founder of Kazuri Consulting, as she clearly explains the difference between equality and equity – and why it truly matters to #EmbraceEquity.
“Imagine that you are babysitting two children, and they are hungry. You go to the fruit bowl, and you start to pick up two apples to give them to each child. However, you remember at the last moment that one of the children is allergic to apples. Instead, you reach for one apple and one banana, and that way you’re being fair,” explains Tamara. “You still give one piece of fruit to each child, but you’re also being equitable because you’re giving each child a legitimate way of satisfying their hunger. If you had gone for two apples, the child who’s allergic to the apple would on the surface have a way to satisfy their hunger, but they couldn’t do that without getting ill. In this way you’re being fair,” says Tamara. “You’re giving each child a piece of fruit but, you’re also giving them something that is in line with their individual needs so they can be successful.”

Articulating the difference between equality and equity: Equity can be defined as giving everyone what they need to be successful. In other words, it’s not giving everyone the exact same thing. If we give everyone the exact same thing, expecting that will make people equal, it assumes that everyone started out in the same place – and this can be vastly inaccurate because everyone isn’t the same. The concept of ‘fairness’ can get tricky as it’s often assumed that ‘being fair’ means that everybody gets the same thing. Often, this has been taught when we were growing up, but ‘fairness’ really only works when we’re all the same to start out with.

Early examples in history: One of the earliest examples of equity is found in Medieval England, when English courts settled disputes according to Common Law. Justice was uniform and consistent, but not necessarily fair. For example, if two people both commit theft, but the stolen items have different value, should they receive the same punishment? Since then, Courts have adopted the principle of equity, taking a case-by-case approach to consider differing circumstances.

Equality and equity as political principles

In political terms, equality is one of the foundations of democracy. Equality is based on the belief that all people should have the same opportunities for a happy life. Equity is linked to the ideal that success is based on personal efforts and not social status.

However, ongoing conversation highlights whether equality is enough, and if instead we should look towards equity as a better principle to progress society. Equity acknowledges that people don’t begin life in the same place, and that circumstances can make it more difficult for people to achieve the same goals. Inequity affects many people, but most commonly historically it has marginalized communities such as women, people of color, disabled people, the economically disadvantaged, and those from the LGBTQ+ community.

The goal of equity is to change systemic and structural barriers that get in the way of people’s ability to thrive. Equity-based verses equality-based solutions. People who push for equality-based solutions to social issues may believe in impartiality, and that there should be no difference in services and policies. However, equity-based solutions take into account the diverse lived experiences of individuals and communities, adapting services and policies according to these differences. Equity is a long-term and sustainable solution, and is a process for addressing imbalanced social systems. Applying equity to women’s advancement

Equality focuses on providing all genders with equal opportunities, such as a woman’s right to vote. Yet, women often require more than a level playing field. They need to belong in a global culture that actively promotes and supports them in all aspects of their life, from education to the workplace to health.
Gender is intersectional, and women as a group are truly diverse. Policies that benefit white women, for example, may not benefit women of color due to historical or current inequalities. A shift from gender equality to the process of gender equity is required for meaningful progress.

Working towards true inclusion:
Leadership and inclusion specialist and former Criminal Barrister, Sharon Amesu, clarifies: “When we’re talking about embracing equity, it’s so important that we distinguish between Equity and Equality. Both are important, but they are very different. Here’s why it’s important to know the difference.”
Let’s also hear more about equity versus equality from Cammy Watkins through the Conversations for Change series by Inclusive Communities.
So make it your mission to educate friends, family, colleagues, and the community on the need for equity. If you truly believe in forging an equal and inclusive world, then you will truly believe in the need for the world to better understand the difference between equity and equality.

Let’s #EmbraceEquity – together!

Downloaded March 1, 2023 from https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EquityEquality.

If you have been receiving this calendar for more than a year, you know I often share various book lists. I have always been a reader, much more since I retired. As the saying goes – “Too Many Books, Not Enough Time” is so true in my case. Below is A Mighty Girl’s top picks of adult book releases from 2022. These books offer unique perspectives on historical events, unveil little-known figures who changed history, and provide a diverse look at today’s women — and how they’re leading the way for a new generation of Mighty Girls.

The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World written by Shelley Puhak:
In sixth-century Merovingian France, two very different women claimed power — and fought one another. Brunhild was married off to Sigebert I as part of an alliance, the culmination of a childhood where she was groomed to help her father cement political power. Fredegund was a low-born slave who caught the eye of Chilperic I, becoming his Queen Consort — and earning the ire of her sister-in-law. In a time when neither could officially be part of noble succession, each woman ruled and commanded… and fought a decades-long civil war against one another. After their deaths, their stories were turned into cautionary tales about the dangers of women in power… but in this compelling book, award-winning author Shelley Puhak unveils the truth about each and captures a portrait of two women who defied expectation more than 1300 years ago.

Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman written by Lucy Worsley
Agatha Christie was known as the Queen of Mystery, but perhaps she was the greatest mystery of all. Despite her modern behavior and attitudes — surfing in Hawaii, driving fast cars, and writing scintillating stories inspired by the new science of psychology — she presented herself as a humble, retiring lady of leisure, once saying, “Nobody in the world was more inadequate to act the heroine than I was.” She also battled severe mental illness to become a worldwide success. Literary and cultural historian Lucy Worsley draws on personal letters and papers to create an authoritative biography of Christie and captures her true role as a pioneer for modern women.

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times written by Michelle Obama
In her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama gave the world a peek at the experiences and philosophies that have encouraged her to “become” over and over again. Now, in The Light We Carry, she explores what we can do when the obstacles in front of us make us wonder if we can keep going on. With a new series of stories and reflections, Obama sheds light on how she’s found ways forward during the toughest of times, from her enduring belief in starting kind and going high, to her trusted “kitchen table” of friends, mentors, and other people she trusts. Her thoughtful and practical tips on adapting to change, building community, and living with courage will remind
everyone that “When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it.”

The Diamond Eye: A Novel written by Kate Quinn
Mila Pavlichenko wanted a quiet life in her Kiev home, working as a librarian and tending to her young son. But then, Hitler invades Ukraine and Russia, and everyone must join the fight. Mila discovers a gift for marksmanship and transforms into a deadly sniper known as Lady Death; her 300th kill turns her in to a national heroine, and top brass pull her from the battlefield and send her on a goodwill tour to America. Struggling with the physical and emotional wounds of war, Mila discovers unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt… and even the hope for happiness with a fellow sniper. But when an old enemy and a new threat join forces, Lady Death faces the most dangerous fight of her life. The bestselling author of The Huntress and The Rose Code has crafted a suspenseful novel, based on a true story, of a woman who, forced to become a hero, finds her place in history.

The Queen: Her Life written by Andrew Morton
Elizabeth Windsor’s childhood dream was to live quietly in the country, but when her uncle abdicated the throne, she became the new heir — and she was resolved to do her duty. She was crowned at the young age of 25, and faced everything from political challenges to family scandal over the course of 70 years as England’s Queen. Throughout it all, she strove to be the person and ruler that everyone needed, while also claiming moments in which she could truly be herself. In this definitive account by best-selling biographer Andrew Morton, readers get a comprehensive look at both the public and private life of this enduring ruler: a woman determined to be stalwart
against the challenges that faced her, and a sovereign and icon of the 20th century.

Mala’s Cat: A Memoir of Survival in World War II written by Mala Kacenberg
Mala Szorer’s peaceful life in the village of Tarnogrod, Poland changed forever when the German invasion began when she was 12. With the village declared a ghetto and everyone she knows slowly starting to starve, Mala took the brave step of removing her yellow star and sneaking to nearby villages to barter for food. But on her way back, she discovers that her family is being rounded up for deportation — and a letter from her sister tells her to hide. In the forest outside the village, she conceals herself… with the help of a stray cat who seems to be at her side exactly when she needs him. “Malach” would not only warn her of danger, but also help her stave off loneliness and keep her full of hope until she could be free. This powerful story of animal friendship and the horrors of war through the eyes of a child is a tribute to optimism and love in dark times.

Between the Mountain and the Sky: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, Healing, and Hope written by Maggie Doyne Maggie Doyne grew up in a comfortable New Jersey family, who encouraged her to take a gap year to travel. She never expected a chance encounter on the trip would change her life forever. While traveling through Nepal, Maggie met a Nepali girl breaking rocks in a quarry, and discovered how many children were struggling to survive after being orphaned by the Nepalese Civil War. Her life savings of $5,000 allowed her to open a children’s home, and before long, her nonprofit, the BlinkNow Foundation, also opened a tuition-free school. In this book, Maggie
explores the life-altering moments of joy, loss, and healing that led her to become an adoptive mother to hundreds of children — and shows readers how we each have the power to change the world.

Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage written by Nathalia Holt
After World War II, America knew it needed a new organization and new tactics for espionage — and four women were at the forefront of the development of what would become the CIA. Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier — called the “wise gals” by their male colleagues — broke through the “male, pale, and Yale” boundaries to establish innovative techniques, demanding credit along the way. Throughout the Cold War, Hawkins developed cryptosystems to help spies communicate; Hutchison built partnerships and allies in Europe and Asia; Page risked her life in the Middle East, seeking information about Soviet weapons; and Sudmeier helped expose terrorist threats worldwide. Holt, author of Rise of the Rocket Girls, draws on meticulous research to create a thrilling and inspirational group biography that celebrates these security pioneers.

Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals written by Laurie Zaleski
Laurie Zaleski’s mother Annie always dreamed of running an animal rescue — and she started gathering an oddball group of animals, from pets like dogs and cats to farm animals like horses and pigs, early on. Laurie always hoped to make her mother’s dream come true, so as an adult, she managed to buy a 15-acre farm as a surprise for her mom. Then tragedy struck: Annie died just two weeks before moving day. To pay tribute to her mother, Laurie decided to continue the work. This is the story of the Funny Farm Animal Rescue in New Jersey, which takes in abused and neglected animals — but it’s also the story of Annie, a woman who fled an abusive marriage, hoping for a better life for herself and her children, and about the animals she set her sights on rescuing. At times both funny and heartbreaking, this poignant book is a reminder of everything animals can teach us.

Empathy Economics: Janet Yellen’s Remarkable Rise to Power and Her Drive to Spread Prosperity to All written by Owen Ullmann
Janet Yellen grew up in Brooklyn, the daughter of a doctor whose “pay what you can” philosophy taught her the importance of caring for the people in need in your community. As she rose through the male-dominated ranks of economics, that lesson stuck with her, and she focused on how economic policy that benefits those low on the ladder also improves the prospects of the entire nation. She’s been chair of the Federal Reserve and of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, and with President Biden’s appointment to the role of secretary of the treasury, she became both the first person to hold all three top economic policy jobs in the US, and the first woman in the history of the office. In Owen Ullmann compelling portrait, we learn how the “Ruth Bader Ginsburg of economics” used her outsider’s perspective to help us envision economics as a tool to help everyone.

Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality written by Tomiko Brown-Nagin
During her childhood in the Great Depression, Constance Baker Motley’s family thought she’d be aiming high to find a career as a hairdresser. Instead, she fought prejudice based on both her race and her gender to become the first black woman to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court! In the first biography of Motley — who would also become the first black woman elected to the state Senate in New York and the first black woman appointed to the federal judiciary, Civil Rights historian Tomiko Brown-Nagin provides a meticulously researched look at an astonishing American life. She captures how Motley argued key cases like Brown vs. The Board of Education,
playing a critical role in eliminating Jim Crow laws. Compelling and timely, this book introduces us to an inspiring woman of history while inviting us to ask how marginalized people can access the halls of power.

Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships written by Nina Totenberg
Long before Nina Totenberg became a prizewinning reporter — and even longer before Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a Supreme Court justice — Nina and Ruth became the best of friends. It all started with Nina’s phone call, asking Ruth to explain her legal brief arguing that a law that discriminated “on the basis of sex” was unconstitutional. Before long, the pair were meeting for regular dinners, sharing their love of opera and shopping, and supporting one another through both triumphs and heartache. Dinners with Ruth is Totenberg’s story of their decades-long friendship: how they witnessed both big victories and frustratingly slow change in women’s rights, and how their friendship sustained them through it all.

Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy written by Damien Lewis
When Josephine Baker was inducted into the French Panthéon, becoming the first Black woman included, those who knew her only for her entertainment career were perplexed. But the music-hall diva is a hero to the French people: when the Nazis captured her adopted city of Paris — her refuge from the racism she had faced in her home country of America — she was banned from the stage because of her race again… but vowed to stay and fight. Baker took advantage of her fame to become a capable and effective spy, using her tours as a cover for
smuggling information across border and her fame to gain access to critical information. In this meticulously researched book, which draws on newly available material, bestselling author Damien Lewis captures a nuanced portrait of Baker that reveals her legendary place in history.

Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World written by Eliza Reid For a dozen years, the World Economic Forum has listed Iceland as number one for countries closing the gender gap — but why? Eliza Reid, an immigrant from small-town Canada who unexpectedly found herself Iceland’s First Lady, explores what has driven so much progress in her adopted country (and what they still have to do.) She looks at factors from historical role models to the Icelandic ideal of fairness to the legislation Iceland passed to level the playing field. Through interviews with sprakkar, or extraordinary women, and an eye for the cultural and historical factors that determine what a community considers “equal,” Reid examines the lessons that Iceland has learned from its past — and how those lessons could help other countries find a more equitable future.

In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss written by Amy Bloom
Amy Bloom and her husband, Brian, had plans for their future — but then Brian seemed to change. He withdrew from both friendship and a job he loved, and he spoke mainly about the past. Eventually, the changes couldn’t be ignored, and an MRI confirmed that Brian had Alzheimer’s disease. Suddenly, the couple had to wrestle with how Brian wanted the end of his life to look… and together, they decided to go to Switzerland to work with Dignitas, an organization devoted to medical assistance in dying. In her poignant memoir, Bloom explores Brian’s diagnosis, its effect on her marriage, and why we avoid talking about the inevitable end of the people we love — as well as the
power of choosing your own path for your last days.

Switchboard Soldiers: A Novel written by Jennifer Chiaverini
When General John Pershing arrived in France to lead American forces in 1917, one of his first problems was communication: with so many troops in the field, operators needed to be fast, accurate even under fire, and fluent in French and English. In America, almost all trained telephone operators were women — and women were not allowed to enlist. But when the U.S. Army Signal Corps called for help, over 7,600 women responded, including Grace Baker, a switchboard instructor; Marie Miossec, an aspiring opera singer from France; and Valerie DeSmedt, Belgian-born and determined to do what she could for her native country. Male soldiers needed a minute to connect calls; the Switchboard Soldiers could do it in ten seconds. But as the war goes on, the women face many dangers, including the violence of war and a terrifying new disease: the Spanish flu. Best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini captures a little-known true Great War story about the women who helped lead the Allies to victory — and broke gender barriers along the way.

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma written by Stephanie Foo
Stephanie Foo was a success story: she had overcome years of abuse and neglect by her parents, and become an award-winning radio producer with a loving partner. So why was she having panic attacks and sobbing at her desk? After years of searching, she was finally diagnosed with complex PTSD, a condition caused by continuous trauma rather than a single incident. But there wasn’t much guidance to help someone like her — so she went looking. In this poignant memoir, Foo interviews psychologists, explores innovative therapies, and even investigates immigrant and generational trauma in her hometown. She realizes that there is no “cure” to be found, but that you can learn to move forward, even while the pain remains part of you. This is a stunning exploration of one woman’s quest to reclaim her life — and learn to understand herself.

The Divorce Colony How Women Revolutionized Marriage and Found Freedom on the American Frontier written by April White
In the late 19th century, the small town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota developed a scandalous reputation. It was easily accessible by rail, it offered a fine hotel… and the frontier state’s laws allowed women to easily divorce. Unhappy women from across the country traveled there, and soon it was known as The Divorce Colony. In this compelling story, author and historian April White explores how Sioux Falls became the center of a national debate about marriage and women’s rights. Through the stories of four famous women who came to Sioux Falls seeking divorces, she explores their determination to control their own lives — and how their fight helped change the lives
of millions of American women.

Making Space for Women: Stories from Trailblazing Women of NASA’s Johnson Space Center written by Jennifer M. Ross-Nazzal
The public face of the early American space program was male — but behind the scenes, there were trailblazing women getting the job done. And as time passed, and fields like the astronaut corps and flight control opened to women, the careers available to women at NASA exploded! In this empowering book, author Jennifer M. Ross-Nazzal draws on 21 interviews from the NASA Oral History Projects, including those by Natalie V. Saiz, first female director of the Human Resource Office; Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space; Estella Hernández Gillette, the deputy director of the center’s External Relations Office; and Carolyn Huntoon, the first woman director of the Johnson Space Center. Their stories highlight how far NASA has come in fifty years — and promise a bright future for women in space in the years to come.

In the Shadow of the Mountain: A Memoir of Courage written by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado
When Silvia Vasquez-Lavado started mountain climbing, it was an outlet for pain she was concealing from everyone: although she had succeeded as a Latina in macho Silicon Valley, she was fighting alcoholism, concealing her sexuality, and repressing childhood abuse. The combination of risk and strength climbing offered helped her start her recovery — and she knew it could do the same for others. So when she decided to climb Everest, a dangerous climb even at the best of times, she also chose to bring a group of young female survivors and guide them to base camp. As she struggled with nerves about summiting, this newfound community also helped propel her forward — and all of them found moments of joy and healing. This powerful memoir celebrates personal heroism, the quest for adventure, and our ability to recover and move forward after even the worst tragedies.

Newsroom Confidential: Lessons (and Worries) from an Ink-Stained Life written by Margaret Sullivan
Margaret Sullivan has spent her career in what she calls the “reality-based press” — working her way up from summer intern at the Buffalo News to eventually become the first woman public editor of The New York Times, and then taking a role as media columnist for The Washington Post. In that time, she’s seen just how competitive the newsroom can get (and how sexism adds an extra layer of challenge for women journalists.) She’s also seen how that environment can lead to shoddy reporting, unethical practices, and more. She’s stood up against controversies and she’s kept an unflinching eye on the changes in American media — including the rise of Donald Trump and his disdain for “fake news.” Newsroom Confidential is both a memoir of what it takes to bring journalism to the people and an incisive examination of what it will take for America to trust its news outlets again.

Lost & Found: A Memoir written by Kathryn Schulz
Kathryn Schulz knows firsthand how joy and sorrow can collide: a year and a half after meeting the woman she married, her beloved father died. In this powerful memoir, Schulz — a staff writer at The New Yorker and winner of the Pulitzer Prize — explores the stories of the three families that mean so much to her: her father’s Jewish refugee family, her partner’s Christian farming family; and the family she and her partner made together. But she also examines how personal happiness can happen even as the devastation of wars, pandemics, and natural disasters rage around us… and how love and loss are tied together. Poignant and unforgettable, this book highlights how these common experiences connect humans around the world.

The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Famous Dynasty written by Natalie Livingstone The name “Rothschild” conjures up images of wealth, power, and privilege — but the women of the family have their own story to tell. They were outsiders both inside and outside the family: inside because of the Rothschilds’ patriarchal attitudes, outside because they were Jews in a Christian-dominated society. But they found their own ways to seek power: they wined and dined the wealthy, advised the influential, and used their money to invest, while also advocating for social reform and sponsoring cutting-edge artists. In this compelling book, Natalie Livingstone follows the Rothschilds from the early 1800s to the early 2000s, exploring the complicated lives and legacies of these remarkable women.

Rise: My Story written by Lindsey Vonn
When Lindsey Vonn retired in 2019, she was the most decorated American skier of all time and an icon of women’s sports, with a trophy case full of medals. But in her new, intimate memoir, Vonn acknowledges that these high achievements came at a cost. Her aggressive drive to push herself past her limits caused her multiple injuries — even as that same determination helped her overcome them — but she also faced a decades-long fight with depression and self-doubt. In this candid book, Vonn explores everything behind her many successes, including the sacrifices she made along the way, and examines what we give up to win… and what we achieve when we do.

Lorraine Hansberry: The Life Behind A Raisin in the Sun written by: Charles J. Shields
When Lorraine Hansberry wrote A Raising in the Sun at the age of 28, she had no ideas that she would become the first Black woman to have a play performed on Broadway — or that her play would be listed one of the 100 most important works of her century. In this authoritative biography, Charles J. Shield unveils some of the little-known elements of Hansberry’s life: her upper-class childhood, her activism for peace and her belief in Communism, and the role of her white husband, who was both her promoter and her best friend. Drawing on previously unpublished interviews and correspondence, Shield captures how the issues about class, sexuality, and race that
Hansberry explored in her writing emerged from her own life, and creates a full portrait of a remarkable playwright and pioneer.

Always Remember Your Name: A True Story of Family and Survival in Auschwitz written by: Andra Bucci, Tatiana Bucci, Ann Goldstein
When Tati and Andra Bucci — then only six and four years old — were arrested with their mother, Mira, and deported to Auschwitz, they had no idea what kind of evil they would face. Their mother was determined that they would be together again, so after they were tattooed with their numbers, she made them memorize her own number and made them promise: “always remember your name.” Separated from her, Tati and Andra endured experimentation by infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, but both sisters would be among the few dozen children who survived… and their mother’s promise allowed them to reunite their family after the war was over. This stunning memoir of sisterhood, motherhood, and love in the midst of the Holocaust is a tribute to the power of hope — and a reminder of the horrors we must ensure we never repeat.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon written by Kate Andersen Brower
For many, the name Elizabeth Taylor conjures up images of Hollywood glamour and celebrity scandal. As the last major star of old Hollywood, with nearly 60 films to her name, Taylor was known as intelligent, shrewd, and tenacious about her career, even becoming the first actor to negotiate a million-dollar salary. Her tumultuous private life was also a constant source of news, including eight marriages to seven different men. And then there was her business career as the first celebrity perfumer, and her legacy as the first major celebrity activist to raise awareness the HIV/AIDS epidemic, collecting over $100 million for research and patient care. In Taylor’s first authorized biography, author Kate Anderson Brower delves into unpublished letters and diaries, as well as interviews with 250 friends and family, to tell the complex, intriguing, and captivating story of this unforgettable star.

Carbon Queen: The Remarkable Life of Nanoscience Pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus written by Maia Weinstock
When Mildred Dresselhaus was a child in 1940s New York City, there were three career options for women: secretary, nurse, and teacher. She chose a fourth option: science. But it wasn’t easy. Her family was desperately poor, and her first graduate advisor believed that educating women was a waste. However, Dresselhaus’ brilliance and curiosity won her allies, including Nobel Prize–winning physicists Rosalyn Yalow and Enrico Fermi. She would go on to become one of MIT’s first female professors, and her work on carbon forms like graphite, graphene, nanotubes, and buckyballs have changed fields ranging from electronics to aviation to medicine. Science writer
Maia Weinstock has penned a loving tribute to this trailblazer for women in STEM and beloved educator, mentor, and colleague.

Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey written by Florence Williams
When journalist Florence Williams’ marriage of 25 years broke up, she was shocked to discover that she wasn’t just experiencing emotional pain: she was also physically sick. The experience sent her on a quest to understand the science behind “social pain” and its effects on our bodies. On the way, she explored unexpected places — from neurogenomic research labs to divorce workshops to wilderness excursions — and discovered that what we believe will help a heartbroken person is often completely wrong. This compelling book, which uniquely combines scientific discovery and personal exploration, is a fascinating look at how our minds and bodies interact, and how love and its loss can affect both.

This Will Be Funny Later: A Memoir written by Jenny Pentland
If you watched Roseanne Barr’s hit show Roseanne, some of the storylines felt real… because they were. Jenny Pentland, Barr’s daughter, knew that her family’s early life in working-class Denver was inspiration for the show — but the show’s success had launched the family into Hollywood life, a transition that was almost impossible for a school-aged child to navigate. By her teens, struggling with anxiety and eating disorders and trying every self-help movement available, Pentland’s knew that she wanted to create the stable family life she never had, even if that meant her mother thought she was limiting herself. Funny, emotional, and scathing, this memoir explores Pentland’s experience with celebrity and how she found a way to define her own path.

Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation written by Erika Krouse
As long as she can remember, people have confessed unexpected, personal things to Erika Krouse — so in 2002, the opportunity to work as a private investigator seemed natural, even if she had no idea how to do the job. When a lawyer assigns her to investigate the sexual assault of a college student who was attacked by football players, the case is personal for Erika: she’s a sexual violence survivor herself. But she believes taking the case to court could help change things, so over five years, she honed her P.I. technique digging into a culture of sexual assault deeply ingrained in a college football program. When the story becomes a national scandal, though, Erika has to figure out
how to prevent it from consuming her. Raw and compelling, this book — part true crime, part memoir — captures the turmoil of one woman in the midst of a landmark sexual assault investigation.

Bully Market: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs written by Jamie Fiore Higgins
Jamie Fiore Higgins was determined to make it big, and when she won a position at Goldman Sachs, it seemed like that was exactly what she’d done. Goldman Sachs said all the right things about gender and racial equity, and seemed to have the statistics to prove it. But as she rose up the ranks, she saw the truth: the culture was deeply misogynistic and discriminatory, and she faced everything from bosses using racial epithets with no repercussions to coworkers mooing at her when she chose to pump milk for her child. In this revealing book, she tells both her own story and shines a light on the reality of these big money corporations and their exclusionary behavior. She also lays out a pathway for change, showing that a fairer workplace and a more just financial industry is possible — if we demand it.

Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History written by Lea Ypi
As an 11-year-old, Lea Ypi saw Albania’s socialist regime fall — after years of trying to understand why comments from her radical father and anti-socialist mother about relatives going to university could be so dangerous. But the end of communism didn’t bring utopia either; the transition to the “free market” caused chaos and brought everything from pyramid schemes to organized crime to her neighborhood. In this remarkable memoir, Ypi describes what it was like to watch the change from communism to capitalism unfold — and what she learned along the way from her free-thinking, intellectual family. Bold, invigorating, and thought provoking, her story will get readers contemplating the cost of freedom and the relationship between what we value and who we are.

Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect written by Victoria Kastner
Architect Julia Morgan blazed trails for women in architecture, becoming the first woman admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and the first licensed woman architect in California. A prolific designer — with 700 creations to her name — she is most famous for the iconic Hearst Castle, an opulent estate she spent 30 years constructing for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who would become both her creative partner and her friend. In this meticulously researched and beautiful new biography — which features over 150 archival images and full-color photographs — author Victoria Kastner draws on interviews, letters, and Morgan’s diaries to capture
this extraordinary woman’s inner life. This revelatory biography is a unique look at a pioneering and brilliant artist.

Mussolini’s Daughter: The Most Dangerous Woman in Europe written by Caroline Moorehead
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini had family at his side — including his beloved daughter, Edda. After marrying Count Galleazzo Ciano, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the age of 19, Edda Mussolini had astounding influence, including the ability to promote Fascism to both the aristocrats of Italy and the international community. She was driven, conniving, and eager for power, but when Ciano came into conflict with Il Duce himself, even his love for his daughter wouldn’t protect her husband. Drawing on archival material, including newly released documents, memoirs, and personal papers, Caroline Moore captures an astonishing portrait of a young woman who grabbed at unheard of control, only to lose what mattered to her most.

The Story of Beatrix Potter: Her Enchanting Work and Surprising Life written by Sarah Gristwood
Beatrix Potter grew up in a wealthy home, where she had the opportunity to pursue her love of nature — she and her brother delighted in sketching the plants and animals they saw around them, and even kept many of them as pets! Her scientific observations and illustrations of fungi should have earned her respect as a mycologist, but instead she was disdained because she was female. Then, in 1893, she improvised a story about four little rabbits for a friend’s son… and The Tale of Peter Rabbit was born. Potter’s creations would delight generations of children — and enable her to protect the natural world that she loved. This stunning illustrated biography explores Potter’s
journey from a sheltered daughter to an astute businesswoman and early conservationist, providing a personal look at one of the English language’s most beloved authors.

Lessons From The Edge: A Memoir written by Marie Yovanovitch
Growing up with parents who survived both Nazi and Soviet regimes, Marie Yovanovitch was familiar with how corruption could destroy a nation. By the time she became US Ambassador to Ukraine, she had seen even more first hand. But then in early 2019, she was recalled from her post — the victim of a smear campaign by President Trump’s associates. She refused to be swayed, though, and her courage and dignity under presidential attack, and while testifying at the impeachment inquiry, impressed a nation. In Lessons from the Edge Yovanovitch tells her story in her own words, exploring why it’s more critical than ever to fight for democracy and speak truth to power.

From Auschwitz with Love: The Inspiring Memoir of Two Sisters’ Survival, Devotion and Triumph as told by Manci Grunberger Beran & Ruth
Grunberger Mermelstein written by Daniel Seymour
Manci and Ruth Grunberger grew up in a loving Jewish family in Czechoslovakia, but when the Nazis start taking over Europe, their home becomes the focus of the infamous Final Solution, the extermination of Jews. Their family of ten is sent to Auschwitz, where the sisters are chosen to live — and their mother, father, and siblings are sent to the gas chambers. Clinging to one another, Manci and Ruth manage to survive seven months in the notorious camp, and another five on a brutal march through the Sudeten Mountains, until they are finally rescued near the Danish border. And a new chapter of their lives begins: family in Philadelphia find the girls, and they become some
of the first Jewish refugees brought to America. This dual memoir, which includes additional historical details, captures the incredible resilience and love of these sisters, whose bond sustained them through all the trials of their lives.

Fearless: Harriet Quimby – A Life without Limit written by Don Dahler
When Harriet Quimby was growing up as a poor farm girl, flight in anything other than a balloon was the stuff of imagination and fiction. As an adult, in a time that headlines proclaimed “the era of women,” she defied expectation and sought out a career as a journalist… and a pilot’s license. She was the first American woman to receive one, at a time when flight records were still mere minutes in the air. Her daring feats made her a global celebrity, but one of her greatest accomplishments, becoming the first woman to fly solo over the English Channel,
was overshadowed by the sinking of Titanic. And after her tragic death shortly afterward, her legacy was almost forgotten. This is the definitive biography of a courageous woman who helped redefine womanhood for the 20th century — on land and in the sky.

Sisters of Night and Fog: A WWII Novel written by Erika Robuck
In 1940, two very different women face the rise of the Nazis. Former American socialite Virginia d’Albert-Lake has been enjoying life in France with her French husband; although her parents try to convince her to leave Europe, she’s planning to keep her head down…. until her conscience directs her otherwise. 19-year-old Violette Szabo knows full well just how vicious the Nazis can be, and after tragedy upon tragedy, she finds her way to the Special Operations Executive, where she finally gets the chance to fight back. Their acts of resistance land both women in Ravensbrück concentration camp — where the real battle for survival begins. This suspenseful novel by the author of The Invisible Woman draws on these incredible true stories to create a portrait of courage in the face of evil.

A Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman: A Memoir written by Lindy Elkins-Tanton
Today, Lindy Elkins-Tanton is hailed as a gifted scientist, whose work on the massive asteroid called (16) Psyche could explain how planets form — including the Earth. But to get here, she had to fight untold obstacles. During her traumatic childhood, she found solace in science, but was taught to doubt whether she “belonged” in science. On her journey to find out, she raveled to the Siberian tundra, peeked at the depths of outer space, and fought to heal her own body from ovarian cancer even as she was writing her proposal for the Psyche project. In her stunning memoir, she explores how scientific thinking can help us build a life full of meaning and wonder.

Never Simple: A Memoir written by Liz Scheier
Liz Scheier grew up knowing that her mother Judith’s mental illness made her volatile: one day she was a devoted, almost obsessed, single mother, and the next she could be violent, abusive, and disconnected from reality. Never was that clearer than when she told 18-year-old Scheier that she’d made up the man she’d claimed was Scheier’s father. But no lie that big can live on its own, and there were many more behind it… and Scheier discovered twenty years later, when Adult Protective Services calls to say that Judith is not paying rent, but is refusing all offers of help. In this powerful memoir of life with a complicated parent, Scheier explores what it took to survive her mother… and what it took to try to save her.

The Women Who Changed Architecture written by Jan Cigliano Hartman (editor)
Architects design the spaces where we live, work, and play — and since the 19th century, groundbreaking female architects have helped shape those spaces. In The Women Who Changed Architecture, you’ll learn about over 100 women, past and present, who have driven change in their field! From Marion Mahony Griffin, who passed the licensing exam in 1898 and whose drawings help buoy Frank Lloyd Wright’s reputation, to MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, who is considered one of the most prominent architects of her generation, these inspiring women have spearheaded new design initiatives, improved equity in public spaces, and much more. With detailed profiles
and stunning images and photographs, this is a must-read celebration of the women who’ve changed the way we build.

The Double Life of Katharine Clark: The Untold Story of the Fearless Journalist Who Risked Her Life for Truth and Justice written by Katharine Gregorio
When Katharine Clark became the first American woman wire reporter behind the Iron Curtain in 1955, she had no idea she’d change the face of the Cold War. She befriended Milovan Djilas in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, looking past the reasons he was supposed to be her enemy to recognize how he was questioning the Communist ideology he himself had helped establish. As she covered Polish protests and the Hungarian revolution, she also smuggled Djilas’ anti-Communist manifesto, The New Class, past Yugoslavian secret police and into the hands of American publishers… where it would become a best-selling and be used by the CIA as part of a covert book program. Clark’s
great-niece, Katharine Gregorio, tells a high-stakes story of an independent woman behind enemy lines who risked her life to help truth come to light.

Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World’s First Modern Computer written by Kathy Kleiman
After the end of World War II, the true potential in computers had come to light — and America knew that achieving technological supremacy was critical. American engineers created ENIAC, the first general-purpose, programmable, all-electronic computer; now they needed someone to operate it. Betty Holberton, Jean Jennings Bartik, Kay McNulty, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Ruth Lichterman, and Frances Bilas Spence — today known as the ENIAC 6 — had to learn how to use this innovative machine, without instruction manuals, programming languages, or anything other than their knowledge of math and their own ingenuity. Author Kathy Kleimen met with four of the original ENIAC 6 for extensive interviews over a decade to create this powerful tribute to these nearly forgotten pioneers of the computer age.

A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing written by Amanda Held Opelt
Amanda Held Opelt was hit by multiple losses in quick succession, including three miscarriages and the tragic death of her sister, New York Times bestselling writer Rachel Held Evans. But despite a long history of faith, she didn’t feel she had the tools to face the grief that suddenly surrounded her. In this poignant memoir, Opelt explores the mourning rituals that have been cast off as “old fashioned” in today’s world which turns its face away from difficult moments. She discovers practices, from Irish keening to Victorian post-mortem photographs to the wearing of mourning clothing, that gave past generations a way to express their grief and receive comfort, both from the ritual and from their community. Both raw and hopeful, this is a powerful examination of how we understand loss… and how we heal.

Listen, World! How the Intrepid Elsie Robinson Became America’s Most-Read Woman written by Julia Scheeres, Allison Gilbert
After a loveless marriage and a scandalous divorce in 1917, Elsie Robinson thought she might have to give up her lifelong dream of becoming a writer — she had a chronically ill child to care for and few people wanted to read a
woman’s writing, particularly opinion pieces. But after working in a gold mine to pay the bills, she moved to the Bay Area, where she went to the Oakland Tribune and demanded a chance to prove herself. She became a columnist, and in 1921, her column commenting on current events called “Listen, World!” became a national success! But even though she was once America’s most-read woman, today few know her name. Bestselling author Julia Scheeres and award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert bring Robinson’s daring personality to life in this
biography that casts a spotlight on a pioneer of journalism.

How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future written by Maria Ressa
Maria Ressa knows the power of journalism — and she knows that telling the truth can put a target on your back. Her decades of activism and her incisive reporting once earned her praise, but when she critiqued the government in her homeland of the Philippines, she became the enemy of President Duterte and anyone who wanted to curry favor with him. But her story is not just a personal one: it’s the story of how social media, which she used to increase voter knowledge and harness collective action with her innovative online news organization, Rappler, has also contributed to the worrisome rise of authoritarianism around the world… including in North America. In How to Stand Up to a Dictator, Ressa challenges her readers: don’t take democracy for granted, demand to know who benefits from conflict, and ask yourself just how much you would give up for the truth.

Downloaded March 1, 2023 from A Mighty Girl’s Blog.

Thank you again to Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora for providing this list of diversity/cultural events. If you know of a diversity/cultural event open to the public that you would like added to this diversity monthly calendar, please e-mail Yvonne C. Montoya Zamora at yvonnecmz04@gmail.com with event details.