New Mexico Program Brings Women's History to Life Through Roadside Markers and Curriculum
A decades-long program in New Mexico is introducing students to the significant contributions of women from or with ties to the state through roadside markers and educational curriculum.
On a recent field trip to Santa Fe, seventh grader Raffi Paglayan encountered the stories of numerous influential women through historical markers.
Among them was Katherine Stinson Otero, an early female pilot who later became an architect in New Mexico after battling tuberculosis during World War I.
This introduction to women's history is facilitated by the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, which has placed nearly 100 markers showcasing the accomplishments of women from or with connections to the state.
The program began when Pat French noticed a lack of female representation on New Mexico's historic roadside markers in the 1980s.
In 2006, after securing funding, the group collaborated with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to create an online database featuring biographies ranging from precolonial times through statehood.
Notable figures like Georgia O'Keeffe and Soledad Chávez de Chacón are represented alongside lesser-known local women such as Evelyn Vigil and Juanita Toledo, who revived the Pecos Pueblo pottery style in the 1970s.
Recently, the program has shifted its focus to education by developing a K-12 curriculum based on these women's biographies.
Since its inception over a decade ago, the curriculum development is now funded with bipartisan support from the state government.
The curriculum aims to incorporate the stories of women who might not be found in standard history textbooks, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of New Mexico’s past.
Representative Gail Armstrong, one of the legislation's co-sponsors, emphasizes the importance of remembering history to prevent past mistakes and celebrate positive achievements.
This initiative reflects a broader movement towards correcting historical records and integrating diverse perspectives into educational curricula.
Among them was Katherine Stinson Otero, an early female pilot who later became an architect in New Mexico after battling tuberculosis during World War I.
This introduction to women's history is facilitated by the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, which has placed nearly 100 markers showcasing the accomplishments of women from or with connections to the state.
The program began when Pat French noticed a lack of female representation on New Mexico's historic roadside markers in the 1980s.
In 2006, after securing funding, the group collaborated with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to create an online database featuring biographies ranging from precolonial times through statehood.
Notable figures like Georgia O'Keeffe and Soledad Chávez de Chacón are represented alongside lesser-known local women such as Evelyn Vigil and Juanita Toledo, who revived the Pecos Pueblo pottery style in the 1970s.
Recently, the program has shifted its focus to education by developing a K-12 curriculum based on these women's biographies.
Since its inception over a decade ago, the curriculum development is now funded with bipartisan support from the state government.
The curriculum aims to incorporate the stories of women who might not be found in standard history textbooks, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of New Mexico’s past.
Representative Gail Armstrong, one of the legislation's co-sponsors, emphasizes the importance of remembering history to prevent past mistakes and celebrate positive achievements.
This initiative reflects a broader movement towards correcting historical records and integrating diverse perspectives into educational curricula.
