COUNTYWIDE : Roles of Women in History Highlighted

Throughout history, women often have been associated more with their husband’s accomplishments than their own, and women who performed historically significant work are often unknown to students, according to the promoters of Women’s History Month.

But schools are moving more towards acknowledging women’s place in history, as seen during this month’s celebration of Women’s History Month. In some school districts throughout the county, new history textbooks are becoming available to highlight the accomplishments of women.

The books are part of new state guidelines accepted by the State Board of Education last October.

“They’re wonderful,” said Mary Kruse, director of instructional services of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which has adopted the texts for kindergarten through eighth grades. “People in our district who are using them are finding that, yes, there are some points that they have not made about certain women.”

Four other districts in the county--Ocean View Elementary, Laguna Beach Unified, Irvine Unified and Fountain Valley Elementary--have adopted the texts, and other districts are considering them.

The state Department of Education estimates that 100 of the state’s 1,000 districts are using the books, or plan to use them in coming months.

Gaye Smoot, a consultant with the department, said the books published by Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Services don’t spotlight women but treat them like equal partners in the web of history.

“They really weave women into the story of history,” Smoot said. “It’s not just the Queen of England, it’s the ordinary and extraordinary women.

“We’ve all heard of Paul Revere’s ride, but we’ve never heard of 14-year-old Sybil Ludington’s ride,” Smoot added, referring to a young woman who made a similar midnight ride, warning of oncoming troops in the Revolutionary War.

At the college level, there have been workshops, lectures and displays throughout the county in commemoration of Women’s History Month. At Fullerton College, the library is exhibiting books written by and about women.