The New March Madness

This year, in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Russell Library is proud to co-sponsor a series of programs celebrating the life and legacy of Jeannette Rankin – the first woman elected to Congress. In total, the program series will include six events spread over the month of March in locations across the community and the University of Georgia campus. Join us for the new March Madness!

What inspired this celebration? Well, 2010 marks the 130th anniversary of Jeannette Rankin’s birth. Anticipating this benchmark, the founding mothers of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation – a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships to low-income women pursuing undergraduate or vocational training programs – approached the Russell Library and a host of other entities at UGA to develop an event series that would remember the achievements and insights of this groundbreaking individual. Not only did Rankin make an impact through her role in national politics, but she was also a vocal community member in her adopted hometown of Watkinsville, Georgia.

Each program gives voice to an issue in which Rankin was deeply invested during her lifetime, while utilizing different presentation styles to relay the information: panel discussion, lecture, public forum. The event series will kick off on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Oconee County Library with a lecture-style presentation providing an overview of Ms. Rankin's life and career, with particular focus on her years in Watkinsville.

The Russell Library is excited to be among the co-sponsors for this event series and extends great thanks to our longtime supporter (and tireless volunteer for RFCLG!) Margaret Holt – one of those founding mother’s at the core of this effort. In the weeks to follow, we’ll post information on upcoming events, as well as recaps and photos from the series here on the blog – so check back for more!

In the meantime, to find more information about the program series visit http://www.libs.uga.edu/russell/events/rankin/, call (706) 542-5788, or tweet @JR130Committee. Additional information can be found at the Jeannette Rankin Foundation website or Facebook page.

Program Schedule

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: First Elected U.S. Congresswoman and Georgia’s Adopted Daughter, Lecture & Reception

Where: Community Room, Oconee County Library
When: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 3-5PM

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: Championing Election Reform,
Panel Discussion & Reception
Where: Auditorium, Athens-Clarke County Library
When: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 3-5PM

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: Her Passion for Peace, Lecture & Reception
Where: Community Room, Oconee County Library
When: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 3-5PM

Too Little Too Late: Changes in the Legal Status of Women
UGA Women's History Month Keynote Address by Dr. Joan Hoff (Montana State University)
Where: University Chapel, University of Georgia
When: Monday, March 22, 2010, 3-5PM

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: Defining America’s Role in the World, Community Forum & Reception
Where: Meeting Room, Oconee County Library
When: Sunday, March 28, 2010, 3-5PM

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: Workplace Justice Then and Now,
Panel Discussion & Pizza Dinner
Where: Zell B. Miller Learning Center (Room 248), University of Georgia
When: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 5-6:30PM

This program series is presented by the JR130 committee with generous support and assistance from the following co-sponsors: Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Athens-Clarke County Library, Oconee County Library; and the following University of Georgia Units – Institute for Women’s Studies, Willson Center for Arts and Humanities, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Department of History, and Women’s Studies Student Organization. All programs are free and open to the public.