Women@Work: Influence and Impact is a Springfield-wide collaborative of programs, exhibitions, and gatherings celebrating the power of women. Women@Work highlights women’s achievements in visual and performing arts, science, literature, community-building, social outreach, and the workplace.
At the hub of this collaborative is a major exhibition at the Springfield Museums exploring artist Isabel Bishop’s work, which depicts ordinary women in an extraordinary way. Isabel Bishop’s Working Women: Defying Convention explores how Bishop not only defined herself as a unique, independent, and unconventional artist, but also how she changed how artists perceive and portray women.
Bishop’s work and her subject matter prompted Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson and her team to think about broadening the examination of women and their work and to involve community partners from the arts and culture, area colleges, the media, social services and businesses led by women.
Simpson convened a group of stakeholders in July and the idea blossomed into a year-long calendar of exhibits and events highlighting the work women have done and continue to do today.
Please join us to celebrate the influence and impact of Women@Work.
STATEMENTS FROM Women@Work PARTNERS
Kay Simpson, President, Springfield Museums, ksimpson@springfieldmuseums.org
“For centuries, the work of women was largely unsung. Often laboring behind the scenes and in the shadows, women have made outstanding contributions in all fields of endeavor. The Women@Work city-wide collaboration will shine a bright light on the emergence of women as leaders through a dynamic array of exhibitions, conferences, performances, concerts. lectures, books, festivals and programs that illuminate the tremendous influence and impact of women’s work.”
Susan Beaudry, Executive Director and Director of Development,Springfield Symphony Orchestra
“We are so excited to participate in this city-wide collaborative honoring the wonderful leadership and noteworthy contributions made by the women of the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Here at the SSO, we strive to uplift creative, working women, providing opportunities for leadership on and off the symphony stage. We have added several women composers to the musical lineup for our 75th anniversary season. Highlighting the signature works by American women composers and recognizing the rightful place of women in the history of orchestra music. We can’t wait to celebrate their contribution with our audiences this season.”
Molly Fogarty, Library Director, lfogarty@springfieldlibrary.org, Springfield City Library
“As a public library, we have a real investment in the power of stories. This collaborative series will highlight the work of local women, historical figures, members of marginalized communities, strong leaders, and famous personalities. We’re excited to explore these stories together over the next year.
Nancy Urbschat, Principal, TSM Design, nancy@tsmdesign.com
“Women work. That’s what we do. Whether for pay, as volunteers, as caretakers for our families, it is work and our work has value. We at TSM Design are pleased to help shape this initiative through words and images. It’s the work we do.”
Website and Social Media
http://www.springfieldpublicforum.org/womenwork-influence-and-impact/
www.facebook.com/womenatworkspringfield
- #womenatworkspringfield
- #WomenatWork
- #WomeninSpringfield
- #BreakingBoundaries2018
- #DefyingConvention
- #WorkingMomLife
Women@Work CALENDAR: http://www.springfieldpublicforum.org/womenwork-influence-and-impact/
This schedule will be regularly updated. Please check in at host websites. Thank you for being a part of this city-wide collaborative!
September
Women’s Fund of Western MA & Strategic Alliances at Bay Path University – Owning Expertise: A Live Experiment in How Credibility Works and How Ideas Arise with Katie Orenstein, Founder and CEO of The OpEd Project
September 25, 3-5pm Blake Student Commons at Bay Path University
Springfield Public Forum – Redefining Leadership with Carly Fiorina, former Republican candidate for President
September 27, 2018 at 6pm
October
YWCA Springfield – 150th anniversary of the YWCA in Springfield during 2018.
October 1
Monthly activities celebrating women of all backgrounds.
NEPR – In Contrast talk with Brooke Hauser, first female editor of the Hampshire Gazette
October 3
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Authentic Donor Engagement Increases Giving with Beth Spong
October 9 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
Girls, Inc. – International Day of the Girl
October 11 at 5-6:30pm, Bulkley, Richardson, & Gelinas
A reception for business leaders and Champions for Girls to celebrate International Day of the Girl. Exhibit on view: The Intersection: Women of Color on the Move.
Springfield Republican – The Power of Women: Notable Women of Western and Central Massachusetts from the 1600s to Today Book Launch
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 5:30-8:30pm at the Log Cabin
University of Massachusetts at Amherst – Women in the Arts Leadership Symposium
October 27, 2018
The Women in Arts Leadership Symposium will connect UMass and Five College students and alumnae with emerging and professional women arts leaders through workshops and network building. By sharing their stories and questions, participants will investigate the particular barriers to women’s leadership in the arts, and forge connections to support the next generation of women arts leaders
NEPR – In Contrast talk with Saskia Sassen, noted sociologist at Columbia and expert on globalization and migration
October 31
November
Springfield Museums Museums à la Carte lecture – “She Kept Her Head”: The Life and Work of Artist Elisabeth Vigée-Le Brun from Dr. Simon P. Sibelman, Professor Emeritus of French and Holocaust Studies, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, former Executive Director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, and Professor Emeritus of French and Holocaust Studies, Appalachian State University
November 1 at 12:15pm
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – More than a Quota with Evelin Aquino
November 13 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
Springfield Museums Exhibition Opening Isabel Bishop’s Working Women: Defying Convention, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
November 13, 2018 – May 26, 2019
This exhibition of pioneering woman artist Isabel Bishop will showcase her paintings of the “new women” of the early 20th century who entered the workforce in large numbers and set the stage for future generations of women to challenge traditional definitions of femininity. In addition to the display of her original paintings, the exhibition will contextualize Isabel Bishop within the work of other renowned women artists that include Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe, and provide opportunities for visitors to experience a recreation of her studio and a streetscape of Union Square.
Wood Museum of Springfield History complementary exhibit – Taking Care of Business: A Century of Women and Work in Springfield
November 13, 2018 – May 26, 2019
The exhibit tells the story of women in Springfield in a broad sense that reflects what’s happening at the national level. The exhibit will feature women from all walks of life such as health care, social services, volunteers, factory workers, teachers, office workers, etc. The exhibit also hopes to explore women in politics, from the first woman to vote in Springfield (an African-American) to the first woman mayor, and the roles women took on during both of the World Wars.
Springfield Museums Museums à la Carte lecture – Working Nine to Five: Interpretations of Working Women in the 1930s -1940s by Isabel Bishop from Julia Courtney, Independent Curator, (guest curator for Bishop exhibition), curator emeritus for the Springfield Museums, and adjunct
November 15, 12:15pm
Springfield Museums Museums à la Carte lecture – I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone (a living history presentation) from Judith Kalaora, Founder & Artistic Director, History at Play
November 29, 12:15pm
December
BusinessWest – Women of Impact Inaugural Luncheon
December 6 at 11am-1:45pm at the Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place Hotel
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Discover Your Power Voice with Angela Lussier
December 11 at 8-11:30am, Delaney House
NEPR – In Contrast with Martha Nussbaum, philosopher and Distinguished Service Professor of Law & Ethics at University of Chicago
December 12
January
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Demystifying Donor Advised Funds with Maureen Trafford
January 8 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
February
Springfield Symphony Orchestra – Performance of Scheherazade
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Kevin Rhodes, Conductor
Amy Beach – Bal Masqué, Op.22
Joan Tower – 5th and 6th Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman
Jennifer Higdon – Blue Cathedral
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade, Op. 35
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Troublesome Board Members: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly with Rima Dael
February 12 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
March
Springfield City Libraries – My Beloved Springfield
March 2019
Programs focusing on women authors and women from Springfield held in the Main Library and City library branches
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Sustainability for the Future with Kathleen Sharkey
March 12 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
Women’s Fund of Western MA – Fundraiser
Monday, March 18 in the evening
An evening in Springfield honoring Dianne Doherty and featuring Teresa Younger, President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women
Springfield Museums – We Can Do It: A Celebration of Girls and Women
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Celebrate Women’s History Month in Springfield with special exhibits including work by Isabel Bishop, a dynamic Modern female artist who depicted women in motion, and Taking Care of Business: A Century of Women & Work in Springfield. Special activities include the chance to learn from women in museum careers; along with different ways they can make their world a better place. Women’s History Month patches for Girl Scouts are available at the council shop.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven’s 5th & Liszt
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Claire Huangci, Piano | Kevin Rhodes, Conductor
- v. Beethoven – Symphony No. 5, Op. 67, C minor
Franz Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 1, S. 124, E-flat Major
Franz Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 2, S. 125 A Major
Libby Larsen – Beauty Alone (Movement II from String Symphony No. 4)
Bay Path University – Annual Women’s Conference
Friday, March 29, 2019 at the MassMutual Center
Keynote Speaker and concurrent sessions to be determined
April
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Goal Setting and Strategic Planning with Kristin Leutz
April 9 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
May
Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts – Even Venue Panel with various speakers
May 15 at 8-9:30am, Delaney House
April or May
Women’s Fund of Western MA – Presentation of Status Report about Girls & Women from the Public Health Institute of Western MA
Date TBD
Springfield Public Forum Lecture Series – Lecture by Dr. Ellen Stofan, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum
Date TBD
Dr. Ellen Stofan is the first female director of the Institution will highlight her career and inspiration to achieve in science.
Credit line for TSM: Special thanks to TSM Design for the Women@Work logo.
Media Sponsor: NEPR, New England Public Radio