Westchester Celebrates Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate and take note of achievements and accomplishments made by women throughout history. Westchester arts groups are taking the opportunity this month to put a spotlight on women from various disciplines and fields of study. Here are just a few:

Through July 29: Inspired Encounters: Women Artists and the Legacies of Modern Art

Presented by David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico Center

David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center gallery’s inaugural exhibition explores ideas of intergenerational influence and innovation through the works of women artists of the postwar period and new commissions of contemporary art presented publicly for the first time. On March 22, a tour led by co-curator Katrina London will be followed by a reception. (Gallery is open Wed-Sat)

 

March 4: Clara Barton’s Civil War

Presented by Lincoln Depot Museum

Historian Carolyn Ivanoff will discuss her book Clara Barton’s Civil War and the Creation of the Missing Soldiers Office. Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was instrumental on the Civil War battlefields, lending her medical expertise to provide assistance and relief. She also created the Missing Soldiers Office in Washington D.C.

 

March 4: A Performance and Memorial Celebration for Karen S. Allen

Presented by New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle Public Library will honor Karen S. Allen, co-founder of Tutti Bravi Productions, an organization dedicated to honoring the history of Westchester through theatrical productions. A memorial concert will include selections from a Tutti Bravi production (The Gentle Lark of New Rochelle) that originated from Allen’s interest in former New Rochelle resident Ellabelle Davis, who was an acclaimed soprano. The songs will be performed by Audrey DuBois Harris, who created the role of Ellabelle Davis in the production. Accompanied by pianist Douglas Martin, DuBois Harris will also sing gospel, motown and other popular and classical favorites.

 

March 4: 2 Truths and a Lie

Presented by River’s Edge Theatre Co.

During this interactive storytelling experience, six people will tell their “female-centric” stories live on stage. The catch is that two of them are lying. The audience will be challenged to test their intuition by voting “truth” or “lie”. Proceeds from the performance will benefit The Innocence Project.

(at Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, Ossining)

 

March 5: Legends, Legacy & Longevity

Presented by RiverArts

This concert, part of RiverArts’s chamber music series, explores the music of women composers throughout history, from the mid-19^th century to the present day. It will include works of Clara Schumann, Nadia and Lili Boulanger, Amy Beach and Thea Musgrave, as well as Hilary Tann and Kim D. Sherman, both of whom will be present at the concert. (at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Ardsley)

 

March 11: Three Latina Artists on the Power of Printmaking

presented by Hudson River Museum

In conjunction with its Matrix: Prints by Women Artists, 1960–1990 exhibition, Hudson River Museum presents a conversation and demonstration with three women printmakers, Nitza Tufiño, Luanda Lozano and Julia Santos Solomon, for a discussion about the role printmaking plays in the Latino culture and its power to effect social change. The conversation that will be conducted in English and Spanish.

 

March 11 & 18: Children’s Book Readings

Presented by Rye Arts Center

A series of children’s book readings by female authors and illustrators will celebrate Women’s History Month. A March 11 event will include readings of Sebastian the Speedy Sloth and The Little Snowflake, as well as goodies and an arts activity. On March 18, a reading of Draw, Paint, Tell will also include an activity.

 

March 18: Belle Boyd, A Rebellious Woman

Presented by Lincoln Depot Museum
Author and educator Claire J. Griffin will present the Civil War coming-of-age story of Belle Boyd, a “debutante, teen-aged spy, seductress, actress, divorcee and self-promoter, [who] carried a pistol and wasn’t afraid to use it.”

 

March 19-April 1: The Artwork of Elizabeth Huntington Coley Fox

Presented by New Rochelle Public Library

The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) will feature the artwork of former New Rochelle artist and teacher Elizabeth Huntington Coley Fox, whose oil paintings and watercolors expressed her spirituality and her love of the natural world. Alongside these paintings in the NRPL Lumen Winter Gallery will be artworks by her granddaughter Susan Mitrano and great-granddaughter Sarah Mitrano. On March 26, NRPL Archivist David Rose will give an illustrated presentation of the life of Coley Fox.

 

March 24: Women Who Tell Our Stories

Presented by New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and New York State Senator Shelley Mayer

This virtual panel discussion event features local writers author and historian Linda Tarrant-Reid, performance poet Phylisha Villanueva and Westchester County Poet Laureate BK Fischer. Available to watch on Zoom, which will have Spanish and ASL translations, and Facebook. At 5pm.

 

Ongoing: Doing Time – A Woman’s View

Presented by Rehabilitation Through the Arts and Columbia University Center for Justice

Rehabilitation Through the Arts, in collaboration with Columbia University Center for Justice, worked with a group of formerly incarcerated women to create Doing Time – A Woman’s View, a just-over-four-minutes animation short. The women contributed personal stories to the project: the sadness of a mother’s lost years with her daughter, the excitement of being released, acknowledgment of guilt and shame, and their support in helping each other heal.

 

April 1: YoFi 2023 Women’s Voices Showcase

Presented by YoFi Fest

Though one day beyond the official Women’s History Month, this selection of five short films and documentaries celebrates the voices of women and non-binary filmmakers. The films touch on dating apps, chefs, the death of a goldfish, and more. A talkback with the curator and filmmakers will follow the program. At the YoFiFest Digital Media Art Center.