Celebrating the History of ~Women in the Arts
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Women's History month is us celebrating the I in our
femininity, rejoicing that we are, acknowledging that we
exist and that WE are the foundation of the world. It is about
us paying homage to those who came before, on whose
shoulders we stand, as we hold our heads up in the present,
while reaching back to pull up and help future generations.
-Vickie Oliver-Lawrence/Vpoetesss , Poet &Educator
My mother Robbie was a beautiful woman who
taught me electronic wring and cabling as well as
stick to it nests, she said never give up on your
dreams. If it can be done , then you can do it . Any
success I enjoy is due to her.
-Leanard Jackson, Record Producer
African woman
by Artist Larry Denson
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About the Artist
Larry is a self taught artist that is
well know in the artist circle with
a love for the female anatomy
and color. Larry captures his
vision of he essence of a woman
in his paintings.
With teaching and gallery
exhibitions Larry has continued
to develop his craft and place his
mark on canvas.
His work is usually done on the
larger scale, passionately and
deliberate. He currently resides
in the Jacksonville Florida .
Women are the most priceless gift from God.
They are the real leaders of this country,
because any man can be the head of his
Household, but a woman is the one that is the
glue.
I believe that when you look upon a woman as a
Queen and the foundation, then and only then
can you be a man in your household
-Gerald Davis, Web Designer
"In many cultures, religions and in the
history of the world; women have
traditionally been relegated to 2nd class
citizenship not only in the home, but the
church, business, and the arts. It is with
profound gladness that we embrace this
month as WHM for the many, many fine
contributions of our sisters and mothers
and daughters and wives and friends in the
visual and performing arts. We thank you
for your many contributions as you have
made this world a better place to live in
through your creative art."
-Andrew Johnson, Museum Board Member
Women should celebrate Womans History
Month everyday of their lives.
Women continue to do great things and we
should be supportive of that. and thats my story
and i am sticking to i
t- Greg Traver, TCA Travel
Georgia O’Keefe -- first female
artist to have her work displayed at
the White House. First female artist
to have a museum honoring her
life and works in Taos, New
Mexico. Died in 1986.
Suzanne Vaillande - In 1792 she
appeared in The Bird Catcher, in
New York, the first ballet
presented in the U.S. She was
also probably the first woman to
work as a choreographer and set
designer in the United States
Sherry Lansing -- in 1980, became the
first woman president of a studio, 20th
Century Fox. Then became the first
female to chair a major movie studio
when she moved to Paramount Pictures.
Her first job in the film industry was as a
script reader which paid about $5 per
hour.
Diane Monroe - Acclaimed
international violinist whose
expressive artistry has touched
audiences in the worlds of classical
and jazz music. Appeared in the first
Fiddlefest at Carnegie Hall.
Marion Cuyjet- Black Ballet Pioneer and
student of Miss Essie Marie Dorsie. Miss
Marion as she was called taught many. Her
students, Judith Jamisn, Director of Alvin
Ailey, Deloris Brown, former Ballet
Mistress, AA. A believer that dancers
should be well rounded and equipped with
every tool possible as a performer.
Marion Anderson - The first Black singer
to perform on the stage of the New York
City Metropolitan Opera House in 1955.
Henrietta Johnston - worked as a portrait
artist in Charles Town in 1707 (now
Charleston), South Carolina, making her the
first known professional woman artist in
America.
Martha Madigan - Is best known for her
exquisite solar photograms . Her work is
represented in prestigious museum
collections including the Art Institute of
Chicago, The Detroit Institute of Arts, The
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Catherine Cornet -- First woman
associate director of a major symphony
orchestra, from 1984 to 1986.
Mary Davenport - In 1914 Engberg is the
first woman to conduct a symphony
orchestra, in Bellingham, Washington.
Caterina Jarboro - The first Black singer
to appear with a major opera company.
She sang the title role in Verdi's opera
Aida with the Chicago Civic Opera in
1933.
Christine Quintasket - Also known as
Mourning Dove, publishes what is
probably the first novel by an American
Indian woman in 1927.
Junita Hall - The first Black woman
awarded a Tony Award. She won in 1949
for her performance as "Bloody Mary" in
South Pacific.
Halle Berry - She became the first
African American to win a Best Actress
Academy Award, for her role in
Monster's Ball.
JoAnn Falletta -- In 1998 she
became the music director of the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra,
the highest orchestral
appointment for a woman in the
U.S. She was also the first
American woman to lead a
professional regional symphony
when she led the Long Beach
Symphony in 1989.
Sarah Caldwell - The first woman to
conduct at New York's Metropolitan
Opera House 1976.
Liza Redfield - is the first
woman to conduct an orchestra
on Broadway in 1960. She leads
a 24-piece orchestra in The
Music Man.
Toni Morrison - Becomes the first
African-American woman to win
the Nobel Prize for literature in
1993
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth
would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in
storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained,
or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much
less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his
youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more
while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't
show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished
every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was
the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now
go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's."
More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it
and really see it . Live it .and never give it back. Stop sweating the small
stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing
what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing
each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you
all have a blessed day.
Beautiful Women's Month
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.
Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can't go to
school looking like this!)
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out anyway.
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly" - but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's
going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "clean" and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants
to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't
even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the
world.
Age 70: She looks at herself &sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out
and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to
have fun with the world.
All works have been registered and copy written.
History is our story. The collective of all chronological events from the opening of
life to its final bow. It exists because we create it. Each and everyone of us
participate on the wings of its origins, regardless of how big or small our voice.
We are the women of tomorrow's history.
As women we soar.
As women we roar.
As women we breathe
power and triumph.
Between our hips,
we carry life
and from our breast
we sustain it.
It was here, on the first day of life, that ever first important Spring day that our
relevance and significance was established. Not by the beauty of Nefertiti or
Helen of Troy or the wisdom and power Cleopatra or Marie Antoinette. It did not
spring forth with an immaculate conception, the right to vote, or a trip on an
underground railroad. If asked, Anastasia, Mae Jimerson, and Sacajawea, they
too would join in this prayer circle to disperse the truth. Our historical importance
to this world existed well before any of them or us became a "first" or an "only" or
a "pioneer". We, women are history personified.
Stand
Now
not in the shadows
but on the backs
of those before us
pull on their skirt hems
and declare yourselves
history
history
history
-Poetically Breathless ©2005
