37th Annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest

2021 Theme:  "Rise Up: Inspiring Women!"

The Los Altos Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum are co-sponsoring the 37th annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest, open to third- through sixth-graders who live in the area and/or attend local schools.

One hundred years ago, the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, and women were finally granted the right to vote in the United States. However, the 19th Amendment in 1920 did not guarantee full voting rights for all women. The work needed to grant this right to women of color faced many obstacles in the coming years. Still, the law became the first in many steps along the United States' journey to full voting rights for all people.

Come to the Los Altos History Museum to celebrate the "100th birthday" of women's suffrage with an exhibition in our main gallery called "Rise-up, The Fight for Women's Suffrage," and a special outdoor exhibit displayed along the wrap-around porch of the J. Gilbert Smith House. We invite you to visit both of these exhibits to learn about the inspiring women of this era. The Museum is open Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. with masks required. The porch of the Gilbert Smith House is always open as it is one of several outdoor exhibits. (Both exhibits are on display until Feb. 21, 2021).

Our world survives on the accomplishments of both men and women and we are grateful to the women suffragists who fought for the women's right to vote. For our essay contest this year, we would like you to reflect on inspiring women in your life. It could be someone who you know at school, church, at home or in your community. You might also recall women you have read about in different areas, such as science, medicine, space, social justice, government, the legal profession, literature, art or music. Select one inspiring woman and reflect on what this woman has achieved in her area of expertise. What obstacles did she face in achieving her goals?

The deadline to submit essays is March 5. Students should submit their entries to anneroberts13@gmail.com. For the detailed essay prompt, click here. For the essay rubric, click here. For the cover sheet, click here.

For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org.