March 2023

“Women speaking up for themselves and for those around them is the strongest force we have to change the world.” Melinda Gates

Women are missing from history textbooks and much public memory, but not because their stories haven’t been told. In fact, women have endeavored to preserve their history through spoken word, writings, and narratives that captured the remarkable contributions women have made to our society, but seldom did these records reach publication, gaining wider exposure.

Fortunately, museums and archivists are adding women’s collections to their resources, including the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa, established in 1992 by Chrysalis founder Louise Noun and her peer, Mary Louise Smith.

In 1991, Noun donated her original Frida Kahlo painting, “Self-Portrait with Loose Hair” to Chrysalis with instructions to forward the painting to Christie’s in New York for auction, with proceeds to permanently endow the Iowa Women’s Archives. The painting sold for $1.65 million, providing funds to establish the archives.

Committed to record women’s history, Louise Noun authored four books on feminism in Iowa, along with her own history through her autobiography, Journey to Autonomy: A Memoir (1990). They were:

As we know, March is Women’s History Month and the 2023 theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Fortunately, Chrysalis founder Louise Noun was ahead of her time, recognizing the need to tell the stories of so many Iowa women who shaped history.

Three resources that are meaningful to our team:

Iowa Women's Archives

Inspired by the vision of its founders, the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives nourishes creative research, learning, and teaching by providing collections and a separate space dedicated to the women of Iowa and their history.

Why Do We Celebrate Women's History Month?

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987 reflecting on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history.

Sojourner Truth's, "Ain't I a Woman?"

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman?”

Read more here: Sojourner Truth's, "Ain't I a Woman?"

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This month we honor the legacy of our founding board, Louise Rosenfield Noun, Senator Elaine Szymoniak and attorney Barbara Barrett, who came together out of a concern for the future of girls and women in our community and established the Chrysalis Foundation. Since 1989 Chrysalis has funded the most effective agencies and programs ensuring that girls are confident, strong, and resilient; women have all the rights and opportunities men do; and every citizen values and supports the success of girls and women.

Twitter:

Honoring the legacy of Louise Rosenfield Noun, Senator Elaine Szymoniak, and attorney Barbara Barrett this month, who founded @ChrysalisIA in 1989 to ensure girls and women in our community have the rights, opportunities, and support they need to succeed. #WomensHistoryMonth

Plan to join us

SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2-3 PM

In honor of Women's History Month our friend Erin Bemis is teaching a FREE yoga class on Sunday March 26th 2–3 PM at YogaSix, 40 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 130. Donations encouraged.

RSVP HERE

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