Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. Women achieved the right to vote when the 19th Amendment passed in 1920, but had been marching for it since the middle of the 19th century. Notable Suffragist Lucy Stone lived in Montclair, at 118 North Mountain Ave., for three years. Accomplished women still live and work in Montclair: see our list below. Send your suggestions accomplished women in Montclair to arts@montclairlocal.news.
Think celebrating women’s history is a 21st-century nod to political correctness? Think again. The first International Women’s Day, March 8, was declared in 1911. President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 2-8 “Women’s History Week” in 1980, and in 1987, Congress passed a resolution authorizing the president to declare March Women’s History Month. Every president has done so.
In the U.S. this year, some women are going on strike, calling the day “A Day Without a Woman.” The strike is a follow-up to the Women’s March that took place on Jan. 21.
In addition, many women are wearing red, bringing attention to women’s heart health: heart disease is the number one killer of women.
Many women-owned businesses in Montclair are closed today, including Montclair Bread Company and Oh, My Cod!
Some local businesses owned by women are open, however, if you’d like to support them.
Baristanet.com (which is owned by a woman) listed many, including: Java Love; Olive That and More; Plum on Park; BLondon; Toast; Amanti Vinol Egan & Sons: Little Daisy Bake Shop; Watchung Booksellers (who are offering a 20 percent discount on all books by women); Parlor Hair Studio; Allure Hair Studio; Ahava Felicidad Hair & Body; DollyMoo; Novelle; Aris Couture; Dot Reeder; Valley Girl; and Music Together.
Montclair includes many celebrated women in all areas. Here are some. Have someone you’d like to nominate? Send names of accomplished women in Montclair to arts@montclairlocal.news.
In the arts:
- Sharron Miller, choreographer
- Gail Prusslin, Outpost in the Burbs
- Christina Baker Kline, novelist
In government:
- Renée Baskerville, Fourth Ward councilwoman
- Nia Gill, New Jersey state senator
- Linda Wanat, municipal clerk
In sports:
- Alisa Wiggins, MHS senior, team captain and point guard on girls basketball team
- Kerri McGuire, MKA junior, shooting guard/small forward on girls basketball team
- Montclair High School girls epee fencing squad:Â state champions for the second consecutive year.
In education:
- Jessica de Koninck, Board of Education president
- Siobhan McCarthy, Montclair Environmental Commission member
- Susan Cole, Montclair State University president