The Ohio History Museum will be featuring a few events with regard to women’s history in this winter quarter of 2018.

Thursday, January 11 at 2pm “Our Men and Women in Blue: A Brief History of the Columbus Division of Police.” Retired Deputy Chief Antone Lanata will talk about the history of the Columbus Police Department which began in 1816. It is the largest police department in Ohio. He will also share stories of notable individuals as well as important events in the police departments history.

Saturday, January 13 from noon-12:30 or Sunday, January 28th from 1-1:30pm a staff member will talk about objects collected from the 2017 Women’s March.

Sunday, February 18 from 2-2:30pm “Ohio Criminals,” will feature stories of infamous people such as Anna Marie Hahn. (Rated R, don’t bring children). I would also recommend reading the book “Wicked Women of Northeast Ohio,” by Jane Ann Turzillo. This is definitely a page turner of women who “snapped” from Ohio, though I don’t recommend reading this before bed!

Saturday, March 10 from noon-12:30pm “Nancy Drew, Ohio’s Girl Detective.” Come and learn about “Carolyn Keene,” who is one of many authors but the first and most famous is our very own Mildred Benson (an Ohio transplant from Iowa).

also on Saturday, March 10 from 2-2:30pm “African American Suffragists,” will be discussed by Curator Lisa Wood who will share visual resources and talk about the unique challenges of this women.

Other educational events:

If you would like to learn about quilting, a tradition of American women which helped to keep their families warm at night you can take Crazy Quilting 101. This will be in March, on four Wednesdays the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 6-8 pm. This will cost $80 and $65 if you are a Ohio History Connection member. Advance registration is required and this is done by calling 800-686-1541 or go to ohiohistory.org/learninglab. This class is taught by local artist and historian Robin Schuricht. She will teach hand-stitching techniques as well as on a sewing machine.

History Day Regional Contests will be starting February 24th for grades 4-12, the kids have been actively working on their projects right now and if you would like to be a judge for an event in your region contact Ohio History Day Coordinator Shoshanna Gross at 800-686-6124 or historyday@ohiohistory.org I was a judge last year and found this to be such a thrilling experience. Many Ohio women (in history) were featured as well as other women from around the world by young women on the verge of making history.

At the National Afro-American Museum of Cultural Center in Wilberforce Ohio:

Express yourself Saturdays: Black History Heroes and She-roes on Saturday, February 10 starts at 1pm. There will be a collage-making workshop to express yourself with vintage Life magazines and other materials. This is included in your museum admission and free for Ohio History Connection members.

Also Dr. Sharon Lynette Jones of Wright State University will be giving a talk called “Historically Speaking Lecture Series, Status and Sensationalism: African American Women’s Identities on Reality Shows.”