Monday, January 25, 2010

'Women of Vision' Published by UNESCO, Paris!

Stories of 'Women of Vision' in a Boston neighborhood, written up by members of the Women's History Group of the Brighton Allston Historical Society (BAHS), have just been published on the UNESCO website!

Some highlights:


"The Coquette" at left was the pioneer novel of Hannah Foster - the first American-born woman to write and publish a novel - and was one of the best-selling books of the eighteenth century.













"Fanny Fern", a widely read and influential American journalist of the nineteenth century, reached over a half-million readers weekly through her columns at the height of her career.

A Paul Revere Pottery catalog is pictured here, showing the 80 Nottinghill Road English-style stucco workshop in Brighton, Massachusetts, USA, in the early twentieth century. In the foreground is Lily Shapiro, an original participant in the "Saturday Evening Girls Club," decorating a soon-to-be famous Paul Revere bowl.
Photos courtesy of the Brighton-Allston Historical Society.

According to UNESCO, Paris:

"The goal of these twin publications, 'Women's History Initiatives' and 'Women of Vision: Brighton Allston Women's Heritage Trail Guide,' is to showcase the significant and compelling contributions that women have made to this New England community over the past three centuries.

These volumes capture the complementary actions of historians and researchers who focus on women's achievements, and of local activists committed to preserving these remarkable women's legacies to inspire future generations. BAHS Women's History Group members researched and hosted advocacy events over a period of six years.

The first publication documents this journey, while the second is a guide to 16 notable women and women's organizations that have enriched the life and history of this corner of Boston and beyond.

Material at the links below gives a vivid picture of the evolution of these Women's History Initiatives over time.

This body of work has also served as a catalyst for similar initiatives underway around the globe, in Burkina Faso in West Africa, and in India."

-- From the UNESCO website.

UNESCO's Division for Higher Education also plans to share the Women of Vision initiatives via its Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). This global network groups more than 8500 educational bodies in 179 countries, ranging from pre-schools through to teacher training institutions.



Click below for direct links to the Women of Vision publications, as well as other related links on Women of Vision in Burkina Faso, the Women of Vision exhibition website, the Brighton Allston Heritage Museum blog, and the Brighton Allston Historical Society website:

Article Files:


Women's History Initiatives. Editor: Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney.

Women of Vision: Brighton Allston Women's Heritage Trail Guide by members of the Women's History Group, founded and chaired by Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney. Editors: Dr. William P. Marchione and Dr. Linda Mishkin.

Related Links:

- Gender Equality in Burkina Faso Blog
- Brighton Allston Women of Vision Exhibition Website
- Women of Vision Exhibition Flickr Photo Set
- Brighton Allston Heritage Museum Blog
- Brighton Allston Historical Society Website