Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, April 01, 2011

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At Winburn Middle School, tenacity is the watchword for young supporters of the proposed National Women’s History Museum.

“There are museums for practically everything else. Women have contributed a lot to history, so there should be a women’s museum,” said eighth-grader Kaylyn Torkelson.

The idea, however, remains mired in Washington red tape. On the last Wednesday of March – which is Women’s History Month – the bill was reintroduced in the U.S. House.

Knowing the importance of students’ being aware of issues beyond their backyard, social studies teacher Theresa Buczek provides them the tools to engage in the debate.

For three years, her students have lobbied for the museum. Their broad awareness campaign has included emails, Facebook posts, a radio infomercial, and letters and editorials to newspapers across the country. A documentary and videos are also in the pipeline.

“You may not be old enough to vote yet, but there are still ways to be involved and be a productive member of our community,” Buczek said. “In their minds, they thought, ‘Hey, if we get involved, we can make a difference.’ The kids were surprised and somewhat irritated that (the legislative process) has to start all over again.”

Skeptical senators have stymied the museum bill, which passed the House in October 2009. In the meantime, other issues such as health care moved to the forefront. Now the museum proposal is back in Congress for revisions.

“It’s been a really good experience. For one, it’s shown me how Washington works,” said eighth-grader Anne Marie Coriale, who noted how kids can help influence adults’ decisions.

Caty Beth Gooding, who has worked on this cause since sixth grade, said students have learned not to give up. “Every once in a while, our spirits will be down because of a setback. But then we’ll talk about how a woman has changed our society,” she said.

An excerpt from a Winburn email illustrates students’ passion for honoring such luminaries as Susan B. Anthony, Mother Theresa, Alice Paul and Amelia Earhart: “We have been studying American History this year, and although textbooks and other museums showcase a variety of important people, we feel that women have not had their fair share in the spotlight.”

Winburn eighth-graders traditionally take a class trip to the nation’s capital, and this spring Buczek’s students met Joan Wages, president of the National Women’s History Museum. She seemed confident of the bill’s prospects, thanks in part to grassroots efforts like in Lexington.

The museum campaign started in 1996, and even if the bill passes muster this session, it could be eight years or longer before the 200,000-square-foot facility opens because of necessary steps like hiring an architect and securing private funding.

One day, though, these teenagers will return to the National Mall and visit the museum.

“They own this. It’s something that’s a part of them. They’ll take it with them,” Buczek said of the ongoing project. “I hope all of them will feel they had a part in it when the museum is finally built. I hope they’ll feel some sense of accomplishment to walk through those doors.”

Resources:

National Women’s History Museum | (703) 461-1920 or info@nwhm.org

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