Write Women Back Into History
Essay Contest
Sponsored by the Iowa Commission on the
Status of Women, Iowa Department of Education, and the State
Historical Society of Iowa, the Write Women Back Into History
annual essay contest serves to celebrate Women's history
month--March--and to increase awareness of the contributions
made by Iowa women.
Write Women Back Into History Guidelines and Entry Form.
The theme for 2013 is “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” The deadline is January 25, 2013. Download the guidelines and entry form for more details.
2012 Contest Winners:
Best General Essays for 6 - 7 Grades
1. Elizabeth Barrett
Harding Middle School, Cedar Rapids
Teacher: Cindy Lancial
2. Ally Richards
Urbandale Middle School, Urbandale
Teacher: Melanie Smith
3. Susanne Kerr
North Polk Elementary, Alleman
Teacher: Sarah Seligman
Best General Essays for 8-9 Grades
1. Molly Doruska
Northview Middle School, Ankeny
Teacher: Amy Akers
2. Gabriella Baker
North Polk Middle School, Alleman
Teacher: Susan Vernon
3. Mary Korch
Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids
Teacher: Ashley Weaver
Best Essay on Women in Science and Engineering for 6-7 Grades
1. Sreeja Vepa
Urbandale Middle School, Urbandale
Teacher: Melanie Smith
Best Essays on Women in Science and Engineering for 8-9 Grades
1. Emily Robinson
Creston Middle School, Creston
Teacher: Mary John
2. Kirsten Siebenga
Harding Middle School, Cedar Rapids
Teacher: Ann Timm
For more information, call (515) 281-4470.
2011 Celebration Day
On March 10, 2011, the winners
came to Des Moines to celebrate their success.
Students were introduced in both chambers of the Iowa
General Assembly,
met with Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds,
and enjoyed a tour of the Iowa Capitol. |
Focus of Essays
Students
are encouraged to choose a woman, preferably from Iowa, from
any historical period, past or present, and write about the
accomplishments of her life and how she has made a difference
to the student and to society in the social justice and civil
rights arena. Although Iowa women are preferred and encouraged,
the subject of the essay may be a woman from another state
or another country. Essays
should identify the following:
-
Why the woman should be written into history (i.e., what
meaningful contributions has she made to her community,
the state, nation, or world?), and
- Why
she is important to the student. Students should consider
what people would learn about us from this essay 50 years
from now.
A
successful essay will discuss why the student researched,
read about, interviewed, and/or found the subject to be
a role model; it should not merely be a biographical sketch.
A
student’s own thoughts on the significance of the
woman’s contributions are important.
Oral interviews are strongly recommended.
Other research methods may be used as long as the information
in the essay is accurate and sources are cited.
Can You Participate?
Any Iowa youth in grades 6 - 9th may
enter one essay. Awards
Cash prizes will be awarded to
the first, second, and third place winner in each of the
6-7th Grade and 8-9th Grade divisions (first place - $100,
second place - $75, and third place - $50).
Special awards and cash prizes are
given to the best essays on women in science and engineering
each of the 6-7th Grade and 8-9th Grade STEM divisions.
All winners will be honored in a
ceremony at the State Capitol and introduced in the House
of Representatives and the Senate.
Past Winners
Copies
of the winning essays and lists of winners for previous
contests:
For
more information, contact Michelle Rubin at michelle.rubin@iowa.gov or (515) 281-4470.
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