According to Wikipedia, Women’s History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8, it is observed during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18.
Let’s all take a moment to recognize women everywhere for the contributions they have made as part of the American story. The grit and determination they continue to display in the face of an unprecedented assault on some of the hard fought for rights that continue to be stripped away is remarkable. More rights are in the crosshairs of politically motivated and misguided folks who would like to see the country go back to a world pre-1920. Before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified giving women the right to vote. You can bet that women are not trying to become part of some real-life version of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Can we talk history for a moment? Most of us should be familiar with history-making women such as Harriet Tubman, Sandra Day O’Conner, Sacajawea, Marie Curie, and Rosa Parks. Many other women have made history recently, including Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson who became the first Black woman to serve on the US Supreme Court in 2022. In 2017, Amanda Gorman became the first-ever youth poet laureate in the United States and the youngest inaugural poet at age 22. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is a viral immunologist who led a team of scientists at the national Vaccine Research Center. Her leadership was instrumental in the development of the Moderna mRNA Covid-19 vaccine.
This is a Greater Cleveland Film Commission blog however, so how about we talk a little women’s history in film? Better yet, with a little Cleveland flavor?
We are certainly familiar with names like Oscar winner Halle Berry. But did you know that LaWanda Page (aka Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son) and Dorothy Dandridge were both born in Cleveland? The latter was widely considered one of the most beautiful women in the world back when she starred in films such as Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess.
Other women with links to the Land include Molly Shannon (SNL, Superstar, and The White Lotus), Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus, Transformers: The Last Knight, The Last of Us, and Superman), as well as Oscar nominee Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentleman, Terms of Endearment and Shadowlands). Margaret Hamilton who played Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz was also born in Cleveland. Browse our website to learn more about the industry and how you might become the next big name from the Land!
Also, find out details there about the first GCFC networking mixer of 2025 coming up. For how to make the most of attending the mixer, click here.
In the meantime, take a moment to reach out to the women in your life, young and old, to let them know they are honored, loved, and respected. Especially the youngsters who need and deserve all the encouragement you can give them. They are all worthy of the opportunity to achieve greatness in their own unique ways.
See you at the mixer!
LP
Chief Diversity Officer, VP Corporate & Community Engagement