Celebrate Women’s History Month this March in Sonoma County
If anywhere in the world is the place to celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s Sonoma County. Sonoma County is home of Molly MacGregor, one of the founders of the National Women’s History Alliance, which established the annual celebration of the progress of women. She, along with a consortium of women’s group and historians lobbied then President Jimmy Carter for national recognition of the local celebration that began right here in Santa Rosa (way back in 1978!).
Today, we celebrate women young and old throughout the nation. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Check out where you can connect with other women (and men) to celebrate where women have been and how far we’ve come.
Sunday, Mar. 3
Jack London State Historic Park presents “Eliza Shepard: Matriarch and Jack London’s Silent Partner,” a two-hour, two-part program in the park’s House of Happy Walls Museum. The program will explore the backstory of Beauty Ranch and how Eliza Shepard became his bookkeeper, lawyer, contractor, and ranch manager, while also championing women’s and veterans’ rights as an activist and community leader. Seating at this event is limited. The event space can be reached only by stairway. For more information about access, call 707-938-5216. Tickets are $20, in addition to a $10 park admission. Tickets available at https://jacklondonpark.com/events/eliza-shepard-2024/.
Tuesday, March 5
The Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus celebrates Latina herstory from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Engagement and Success Center. The event will make space to discuss Latina women who influenced us to be where we are today.
Wednesday, March 6
Celebrate Women's History Month! Join us for a discussion, led by author Janna Barkin, featuring panelists who will share their experience and perspectives as transgender women. This program will support, educate, and inspire anyone who attends. Recommended for teens and adults. Central Santa Rosa Library from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 7
Stanford Lecturer and radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti will highlight the wide array of musical productions by female singers who have emerged from the Arab world since the advent of the Arab Spring. By utilizing a wide variety of audio-visual tools, this presentation will showcase several groundbreaking female vocalists - from Yasmine Hamdan (Lebanon) to Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia) and Dina El Wedidi (Egypt) -whose oeuvre has managed to redefine modern Arabic music while simultaneously paying homage to such legendary singers as Fairuz and Umm Kulthum. The event is from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Girvin Student Activities Center at the SRJC.
Saturday, March 9
Head to Healdsburg to celebrate everybody’s favorite doll: Barbie. The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is hosting a birthday party for the vintage doll from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Don’t miss this fun exhibit before its closes!
While you’re in Healdsburgs, check out the all-female rock and roll with the Poyntlyss Sistars Rockin' Show Band, a popular 8-piece, female fronted dance band with four-part harmonies and full choreography that enjoys a broad fan base throughout the SF Bay Area. Their shows feature familiar Rock-R&B-Motown-Pop dance hits from the ‘50s to NOW. Tickets are $10. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Coyote Sonoma.
Sonoma State University’s HUB Cultural Center brings in Rose Hammock of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, Maidu, Wailaki and Pomo, to teach about the art and culture of basketry. Contact janet.hess@sonoma.edu with questions. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Green Music Center commemorates the chart-topping hits and record-breaking sales of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton through the art and entertainment of Miko Marks and Kristina Train. “Trailblazing Women of Country: A Tribute to Patsy, Loretta and Dolly” begins at 7:30 p.m. and features an all-female, five-member band. Tickets at gmc.sonoma.edu/trailblazing-women.
In Sebastopol, head to Hopmonk for the T Sisters, the Real Sarah’s and Alison Harris. The Women’s Day Celebration features the three all-female bands for a night of rocking music. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets available at seetickets.us/event/t-sisters-the-real-sarahs-alison-harris-womens-day/580289.
Tuesday, March 12
The SRJC hosts a film screen of “Alla/Over There,” followed by a Q&A with Moserrat Larque. With a background in Communication and a Master's in Feature Film Screenwriting, Larqué focuses on women’s unity, collective organizing, and women’s liberation and has directed for prestigious channels and received international awards. The screening is from noon to 2 p.m. in the Newman Auditorium with Q&A from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Doyle Library.
