The West Virginia and Regional History Center extends an open invitation to commemorate the closing of “Women Making History: Showcasing the West Virginia Feminist Activist Collection” from 2-4 p.m. Friday, May 17, the sixth floor of WVU’s Downtown Library. The open house will include refreshments in the Library Atrium.
The WVRHC
actively collects records and oral histories to document the history of women
and activism in the state and region.
“The ‘Women
Making History’ exhibition features archival materials and tells the story of changemaking
women and organizations in West Virginia. It’s inspirational. We want the
public to see this amazing exhibit before it closes at the end of May,” WVRHC
Director Lori Hostuttler said.
The exhibit highlights women who
sought employment in traditionally male dominated fields like coal mining and
construction trades as well as West Virginia women who championed women’s issues
through advocacy, lobbying, and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. It
also focuses on women who used creative pursuits like music, art, and comedy to
call for women’s rights and create spaces for women.
"Women Making History” was written and curated by students in the WVU History Department and faculty
and staff from WVU Libraries. It is supported by funding from a Carnegie
fellowship secured by Dr. Jessie Wilkerson, the Joyce and Stuart Robbins Chair
in WVU’s Eberly College of Arts & Sciences.
In addition to this special viewing, “Women Making History” is
available during the WVRHC’s open hours until it officially closes on May 31.
For more
information contact Hostuttler at 304-293-1116 or Lori.Hostuttler@mail.wvu.edu.