The Smathers Libraries celebrated Women’s History Month through a variety of events and activities that highlight the stories and success of female authors. From book displays and online exhibits to guest speakers and Out Loud readings, there is something for everyone. We honor the contributions and achievements of women and their impact on society.
Featured Online Exhibits
- Yo Mismo Fui Mi Ruta
- Nora Neale Hurston’s St. Augustine
- Pura Belpré Bringing Boricua Stories to the Bookshelf
Featured Event
On March 20th, we celebrated Women’s History Month through our open mic event at the Health Science Center Libraries. During the 60-minute reading session, attendees listened to literature written by female authors.







Featured Women’s History Month blog from the Latin American and Caribbean Collection

Multiple branches displayed Women’s History month books, like this photo from the Education Library.
Featured Books: Elizabeth Lesser believes that if women’s voices had been equally heard and respected throughout history, humankind would have followed different hero myths and guiding stories. For more books and other resources check out our resources guide here.

Featured Female Innovation: Tharp used SONAR data collected by research vessels to map the ocean floor. When those maps showed a mid-ocean rift valley in the Atlantic Ocean, supporting the (at the time) highly controversial theory of continental drift, Tharp’s findings were dismissed as “girl talk”. On his way to the 1959 International Oceanographic Congress, Jacques Cousteau tried to disprove Tharp’s theory by dragging a
photo sled over the so-called ridge. The tactic backfired as the ocean ridge and valley clearly came into view. Marie Tharp’s efforts fundamentally changed our understanding of how the world works and directly led to the acceptance of the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift. In 1997, the Library of Congress named Tharp as one of the four greatest cartographers of the 20th century.
