[Archived] City of Alexandria Celebrates Women’s History Month

For Immediate Release: March 5, 2019

The City of Alexandria will host a variety of events in recognition of Women's History Month in March. This annual observance began as a national celebration in 1981, when Congress authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to proclaim Women's History Week. After being petitioned by the Women's National History Project, Congress designated the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.

This year's events span time periods from the 18th to the 20th centuries:

Specialty Tour: The Feminine Side of the Tavern
Saturdays in March, 10-11 a.m.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.)
Discover the many roles women played in tavern life! This tour challenges assumptions about a woman's role in the 18th century and how women interacted with the tavern, a place commonly assumed to be just for men.

Facetime with History
March 10, 1-4 p.m.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.)
While journeying through the museum, engage in conversations with people from the past and hear stories that will deepen your understanding of the past and how it connects to today. Listen as Hanna Fairfax Washington and her sister-in-law, Jane Fairfax, reminisce about their lives in early Alexandria.

Lecture: Ordinary Equality - The Daughters of American Revolution from 1890-1920
March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
As America prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in 2020, come hear how members of the Daughters of the American Revolution worked for social reform and helped make the dream of women's voting rights a reality.

Civil War Women's Day
March 23, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.)
In recognition of Women's History Month, civilian reenactors will interpret the clothing, skills and contributions of women during the Civil War period. On-going displays and activities feature soldiers aid societies and relief efforts; women's roles on the home front, in camp and on the battlefield; and women in the workforce. Kids can make a lady's fan or a patriotic ribbon cockade.

Civic Activism— Women Leading the Way
March 25, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. program
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
Tickets: $45 Advance Sales/$50 At the Door
Focused on women's leadership, the event will feature keynote speaker Del. Eileen Filler-Corn and a panel of elected officials and community leaders. Learn more about the Commission for Women and see their 2018 Report of the Status of Women in Alexandria.

For a list of all events celebrating Women's History Month, check the City Calendar.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jim.holloway@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4994, Virginia Relay 711.