INTRODUCTION

At the start of the twenty-first century, women have never been stronger in American society. They have had such an influence on their own futures, not to mention the future of our country. In 1990, there were 28 congresswomen, three female governors, and 1,261 female legislators. There were 112 female mayors of cities with populations over 30 thousand, including Houston, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. Compare 112 females to the number existing in 1971--seven. And these numbers only depict public service. Stop a moment and consider the inroads women have made in the fields of sports, business, literature, journalism, broadcasting, music, and entertainment.
Since women now comprise over half of our population, their influence will increase as we enter the next century. Let us study these women and the issues that surround them. Let us learn about their past, present and future contributions that will affect our lives. Let us go through time to increase our knowledge of what women have been through to make the world a better place for all of us.

TASK

Your job will be to pick a woman in the past or present who has made or who is making a contribution to our American way of life.

PROCEDURE

I.   First decide which field you would choose a woman to research from the present or past

          A.  MEDICINE (doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers)

          B. THE ARTS (visual arts, literature, music)

          C.  POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT (American leaders, Civil Rights)

          D.  EDUCATION (teachers, administrators and technology)

          E.  MILITARY (American Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Gulf War)

          F.  PROFESSIONS (business, foods, sports, fashions, media)

II.  Next, decide on the woman in a particular field that you would research.

III. Then research using the various sources below

IV. Next complete the writing frame on the “Women Through Time” form.

V.  Write a cinquain poem about your person.

          A cinquain poem is a five line poem.

             Line 1--is the person's name

             Line 2--two adjectives that describe the person

             Line 3--three action verbs about that person

             Line 4--four words that are a descriptive phrase about that person

             Line 5--one summarizing word about that person

     EXAMPLE:            

Ann Richards

Silvery, tough

Governing, speaking, leading

Makes you respect her

Governor

   
VI.   Using all the information you compiled, do an Inspiration Web.

VII.  Then Print out your web and outline.

VIII. From this, write a persuasive essay about your person convincing the reader how and why this woman is or was a very influential force in her field.

IX.  Then transfer your Inspiration Web into Power Point.

X.   Design your Power Point Presentation.

XI.  Finally from your Power Point Presentation present to your class your famous woman.

RESOURCES

     Using the following websites on the internet to research your person:

     Using the following print resources to research your person:

          1. Encyclopedias such at World Book and Crompton’s Academic American

          2. Reference books such as:

               Women’s Chronology, Prominent Women of the 20th Century, or American Women in Science
    

          3. For current information on issues relating to women, consult magazines and newspapers by using indexes, such as InfoTrac and Newsweek.      

          4. For in-depth information, examine books. Use keywords to locate books through the library's automated card catalog. Individual biographies of women may be found in the biography section of the Media Center. The call number of biographies is 92 with the FIRST 3 letters of the person's LAST name beneath it.

         
ASSESSMENT

Essay Rubric

PowerPoint Rubric