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.
2010 Contest
2010
Theme: Writing Women Back into History
Guidelines
Entry Form
Essays
and entrance forms must be e-mailed to women@iowa.gov
no later than Friday, January 29, 2010.
For
more information, contact Lori SchraderBachar at lori.schraderbachar@iowa.gov
or (515) 281-4470.
2009 Celebration Day
On March 26, 2009, the winners
came to Des Moines to celebrate their success. Students
were introduced in both chambers of the Iowa General
Assembly, met with Lt. Governor Patty Judge, and enjoyed
a tour of the Iowa Capitol and State Historical Building.
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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 are given to the best essays on women in science
and engineering. 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:
Back to Women's
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