Mission and Goals

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Women's history - the full inclusion of women's experience in our understanding of the past - has the potential to completely rewrite history for all of us. Understanding this history is important if we are to know who we are and where we come from. It is especially important to young Vermonters as they explore their own potential and think about their emerging role in history.

MISSION:
By promoting the understanding of the diverse experiences of women in Vermont history, the Vermont Women's History Project seeks to create a new perspective on history and culture that will have a positive effect on society's perceptions of women.

As the only state agency devoted solely to improving the lives of women, the Vermont Commission on Women is leading the Vermont Women's History Project (VWHP) as a part of a nationwide effort to discover and highlight the critical roles women have played in our nation's history.

The VWHP is guided by a twenty member Steering Committee with representatives of Vermont's academic community and partner organizations. The Honorary Chair of the project is Governor Madeleine Kunin.

GOALS:

• To develop and maintain a web site that will include a database on Vermont women, historical context information, and will provide a central directory to the primary and secondary historical resources about Vermont women.
   
• To create programs for educators to learn a new historical narrative and develop more inclusive curricula.
   
• To promote educational programs designed to broaden historical perspectives on women.
   
• To provide information on cultural and heritage tourism activities and educational opportunities in Vermont related to women's history.
   
• To encourage further historical research on Vermont women.
   
• To maximize effectiveness by collaborating with the academic community, and partnering with public and private organizations.
• To create connections with VermontVacation.com through the database in order to help travelers and tourists find events and attractions related to women's history.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Women's History Year 'Round                                          
In 2008, the Vermont Women's History Project (VWHP) decided that Women's History Month (March) would become a year 'round project in Vermont, with events and projects celebrating women's history scheduled across the state throughout the year.

Lake Champlain Quadricentennial                                                               
The VWHP will participate in the Quadricentennial education and celebration activities, featuring the role women played during the period of European discovery and settlement of the Lake of Champlain basin.

Vermont History Expo                                      
The VWHP participates annually in the Vermont Historical Society's History Expo, held at the end of June in Tunbridge.

Vermont History Day
Each year, the VWHP provides an award for the best project related to the history of women in Vermont at the annual Student Vermont History Day, sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society.

Interns and Researchers
Interns and researchers are needed to help with the process of discovering, documenting and entering information about women in Vermont into the web site database.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Tess Taylor, Vermont Historical Society, (802) 479-8505.
 

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