Feel Good Friday – Women’s History Month, 4 ways to celebrate

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Did you know that March is celebrated as Women’s History Month? This is a great time to explore your family’s history. What are some of the stories you have heard about the women in your family? Include your children as you celebrate Women’s History Month.

Below are four ways your child can celebrate:

1.      Have your child interview a woman in their life.

2.      Your child can write a letter to a woman they admire.

3.      Your child can a read a book about a woman who made contribution to our world   or perhaps who was  a local hero (shero).

4.      If you have young children, read books to them about women who made contributions to our society.

How about a round of Women’s History trivia? See if you can identify what the following notable women were/are famous for.

1.      Ella Fitzgerald

2.      Jackie Joyner-Keree

3.      Rosa Parks

4.      Mae C. Jemison

5.      Mya Angelo

6.      Emily Dickenson

7.      Oprah Winfrey

Before you peak at the answers below, here’s one more way you can celebrate Women’s History Month…read books by local authors. I have been fortunate to meet many great children’s book authors and participated in workshops, conferences and other gatherings with them.

It was recently announced that our very own Michigan author, Lisa Wheeler, has received the Golden Kite Award. Pick up a stack of her books at your local library or book store. Read to your child or enjoy them yourself. Have you met any local authors in your area?

Now for the answers to the Trivia questions. Check below to you did.

Answers

1.      One of the greatest jazz singers, lived 1918-1996

2.      First American woman to win Olympic Gold in the long jump (won in 1988 & 1992)

3.      Refused to give up her seat to a white person on a crowded bus during bus segregation time

4.      First African American woman to travel in space

5.      Poet

6.      Poet who wrote close 2000 poems

How will you celebrate Women’s History Month?

Fun Friday – Getting what you want

My magical shirt attracted famous people - author Lisa Wheeler and Professor Beth Myers

Have you ever said to your child, “you can’t have everything you want?” Or “You don’t need that.” I am learning that sometimes you have to take your own advice. My words came back to bite at a writer’s conference.

As I perused items at the bookstore, I picked up a couple of books by authors I’d met, then I spotted something else that called my name. Lying there neatly displayed on a table was a t-shirt lettered with the name of the conference.

The shirt was soft to the touch. It appealed to me because I believed that if I wore it, when I sat down to write, words would just flow form my head. It was to be my motivation when I was in a writing funk.

I held the shirt in the air with outstretched arms. It looked slightly smaller than my size. I looked at the label in the neck of the shirt and it said XL. I bought the shirt.

When I got home, I pulled myself into the shirt, poking my head through the neckline like a turtle, jamming my arm through one sleeve, then the other. I took the shirt off and looked at label again, it still said XL.

My conclusion was that the XL must have stood for “xtra little”.  I wore the shirt anyway. As long as I sit up straight with my back arched, tummy sucked in, and neck held high, the shirt fits perfectly.

Three years later, I still wear the magical shirt as part of my uniform when working on a special writing project. It has no powers, it fits okay, but I wanted so and I got it. Snug fit and all. Just because we want something doesn’t mean we have to always have it.

...and from the right angle, the shirt appears to fit.

What happens when you get what you want and more?