Poly’s Libraries Celebrate Women’s History Month

In the Lower and Middle School library, librarians Alex Bryndzia, Yvette Pompa, and Megan Geiger noticed that there are many popular and well-known women in pop culture, but more historic figures may be less noticed by our students. The Lower School is engaging in a research unit in classes, so they are coming to the library to support their learning and in the process using their research skills to learn about historic women. Second grade is digging into a Rebel Girls research project, combining classroom and library resources to learn more about women who made a difference in history. Third graders did research on famous women and put together handouts that are on display. Megan Geiger is also teaching a unit on Black Girl Magic, combining research for Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

In the Upper School Library, Librarians Nora Murphy and Natalie Mattox created the “Who Is She?” guessing game to illuminate underrepresented women in history. Found behind the circulation desk, the expansive display challenges students to identify five amazing women based on clues in a Wheel of Fortune style. The students with the most correct answers will win a Vroman’s gift card. Similarly, the Lower and Middle School Library has a “Guess Who Said?” display with quotes from famous women including Marie Curie, Bessie Coleman, Amanda Gorman, and more.

Both libraries also feature robust displays of titles relating to Women’s History Month. Have a look around to learn more!

In the Lower and Middle School Library, book series like Little People, Big Dreams by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, Rebel Girls founded by Elena Favilli, Ordinary People Change the World by Brad Meltzer, and She Persisted books by Chelsea Clinton, students are becoming familiar with and also celebrating these figures. Favorite books include Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker, Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Debbi Michiko Florence and Jamie Michalak, and The Girl with a Mind for Math by Julia Finley Mosca.

In the Upper School, Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister, Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It by Janina Ramirez, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi are all favorites.

The Lower and Middle School Library will welcome Antoinette Portis on Thursday, March 20 from 12:25-1:10p.m. during Community Time. She is an acclaimed author and illustrator who previously worked for Disney until she was encouraged to write children’s books. Her books, which beautifully weave in elements of nature and sensory experiences, have captivated our students. Her book Hey, Water!, sparked deep reflections and interactive discussions among our students. Additionally, her approach to storytelling through riddles has inspired students to create their own riddles, enhancing their engagement with literature in a fun and creative way.

In the Upper School, our librarians celebrate Carla Hayden this month, the Librarian of Congress. As the first woman and the first African American to hold this prestigious position, she has played a significant role in making literature and historical documents more accessible to the public.

We hope that you will visit the libraries to dig deeper into Women’s History Month!