Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Women's History Month: Rosalind Franklin



VOAVideo: Franklin's Research Led to the Discovery of DNA Structure

Many people have never heard of British scientist Rosalind Franklin. Her research helped solve the mystery of the structure of DNA - the building blocks of life. In 1952, Franklin took X-Ray photographs of a molecule that showed DNA contains two strands wrapped around each other in a double helix, like a twisted ladder. The clearest image, known as photograph 51, enabled other scientists to build a model of DNA, and they received credit for it. In Washington, a play at the Jewish Community Center called "Photograph 51" depicts Franklin as the only woman doing DNA research then in a man's world. The play coincides with women's history month in the US. VOA's Deborah Block has more.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

Women's History Month: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire



VOAVideo: A Century After Triangle Fire, Labor Struggles Remain

On March 25, 1911, 146 people died when fire swept through an overcrowded New York City garment factory. The victims were mostly young immigrant women. The so-called Triangle fire fueled public outrage over unsafe and unfair working conditions, which had already been at the center of a bitter struggle between labor and management. A century later, the battle is not over for many workers.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Women's History Month: Women Farmers

I have been growing organic vegetables on my patio for over 20 years.

VOA Learning English: How Women Farmers Could Feed More in Developing World

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says women do not have the chances for productivity that men have AGRICULTURE REPORT (download mp3)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Women's History Month: Elizabeth Taylor



VOAVideo: Film Legend Dies of Heart Failure

Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor has died of complications from congestive heart failure. She was 79 years old. Her movie career spanned 70 years starting at age 9 when she was discovered in Hollywood by a talent scout. VOA's Penelope Poulou has more. (read more)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Women's History Month: Susan B. Anthony

The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a United States coin minted from 1979 to 1981, and again in 1999. It depicts women's suffrage campaigner Susan B. Anthony. The reverse depicts an eagle flying above the moon (with the Earth in the background), a design adapted from the Apollo 11 mission insignia that was also present on the previously issued Eisenhower dollar (Source: Wikipedia: SBA).

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • fought for women’s rights
  • fought for civil rights

Susan B. Anthony was born in Massachusetts on February 15, 1820. She is known for campaigning for the right of women to vote. She spoke out publicly against slavery and for equal treatment of women in the workplace.

On March 8, 1884, Anthony testified before Congress supporting women's suffrage (right to vote). She urged senators to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that, she said, "shall prohibit the disenfranchisement of citizens of the United States on account of sex..."

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony died 14 years before the adoption of the 19th Amendment, but it was still widely known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.

In 1979, she became the first woman whose image appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. The coin is called the Susan B. Anthony dollar and is worth one dollar. (source: USCIS M-638)

See also:

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Women's History Month: Indonesian Women Scientists



VOAVideo: Women Scientists Close Gender Gap in Indonesia

The United Nations chose women and science education as the theme for this year's International Women's Day (March 8th) to highlight the gender gap in many parts of the world between the number of men and women scientists. VOA's Brian Padden talked to two women scientists in Indonesia, where the gap is closing.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Women's History Month: Máiread Corrigan and Betty Williams


Máiread Corrigan (Máiread Corrigan-Maguire) and Betty Williams co-founded the Community of Peace People, an organization which attempts to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The two women were co-recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

VOANews: American Women Draw Attention to Role of Women in Peace Efforts - 2003-03-07
These peace efforts have come not only before wars and national conflicts, but have continued afterwards.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Women's History Month: UN Women Peacekeepers



VOAVideo: UN Boosts Number of Women Peacekeepers

With 18 operations on four continents, United Nations peacekeepers are in greater demand than ever. As the U.N. recruits more officers to staff those operations, it is also trying to attract females, especially in countries where gender plays a central role in peacekeeping efforts. Paige Kollock reports.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Women's History Month: Aung San Suu Kyi

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released Nov. 2010!

Famous People Lessons: Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi has been a figurehead for her country’s struggle for democracy since 1988.

VOANews: Aung San Suu Kyi Notes Parallels Between Middle East and Burma

Nobel Laureate and pro-democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi says the people of Burma are closely following events in the Middle East.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Women's History Month: Waris Dirie--Film Tracks Woman's Path from Desert Nomad to Supermodel Activist



VOAVideo: Film Tracks Woman's Path from Desert Nomad to Supermodel Activist

The life of former supermodel Waris Dirie, who was born into a nomadic Somali clan in 1965, sounds like fiction. A goatherd by age six who cared for her family's animals, Dirie ran away at 13 when she was about to be sold into marriage. That was the start of a remarkable journey, dramatized in the feature film "Desert Flower," based on Dirie's autobiography.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Women's History Month: Rosa Parks

VOANews: Rosa Parks, 1913-2005: Mother of the American Civil Rights Movement
On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Rosa Parks was a black woman who refused to give her seat on a bus in Alabama to a white passenger. Her act of bravery launched the movement to end unequal treatment of African-Americans.

Breaking News English: 2005-10-26: Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies - easier harder

Friday, March 11, 2011

Women's History Month: US to Push for Women's Rights in New Mideast Democracies



VOAVideo: Clinton: US to Push for Women's Rights in New Mideast Democracies

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the United States will 'stand firm' for women's empowerment as new democracies take shape in the Middle East. Clinton spoke at a State Department event honoring women from 10 countries for advocacy on women's issues.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Women's History Month: Flannery O'Connor


VOA Learning English: Flannery O’Connor, 1925-1964: She Told Stories About People Living in the American South

Many of her novels and stories showed the conflict between the world of the spirit and the world of the body PEOPLE IN AMERICA (download mp3)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Women's History Month: Harriet Tubman



VOA Learning English: Harriet Tubman, 1820-1913: She Fought Slavery, Oppression

Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape through the Underground Railroad PEOPLE IN AMERICA (download mp3)


Today we will talk about USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*. We will first read about Q75 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will talk about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Let's get started! (download mp3)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

World Marks 100th Women's Day



VOAVideo: World Marks 100th Women's Day

Women are joining together all over the world to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day on Tuesday.

Friday, March 4, 2011