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.

Women's History Month: Geraldine Ferraro

VOANews: Geraldine Ferraro, US Political Pioneer, Dies at 75 She was the first American woman to run for national office on a major political party's ticket

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.

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)

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)

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:

• America's Story: Susan B. Anthony
• EL Civics: Susan B. Anthony
• VOANews: Susan B. Anthony, 1820-1906: She Led the Fight to Gain Equal Rights for Women, Including the Right to Vote

Women's History Month: OPRAH!

Famous People Lessons: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is internationally famous for hosting the most popular talk show on American television.

DOWNLOADS: Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

Ophrah's Channel on YouTube