The 11th annual Women’s History Contest sponsored by Austin’s AAUW Branch was held Feb. 12. Students in Dennis Schwab’s Honors American History classes presented projects on many topics related to Women’s History. AAUW members Sue Grove, Jill Maxfield, Kathy Kester, Dorothy Krob, Nikki Lindberg and Carolyn Bogott were on hand to help with the evaluations of the presentations. Topics Included “Sexism in Advertising,” “Women Inventors and Innovators,” “Women in the Work Force,” and “History of Women in Politics in the U.S.” Some students used poster boards and others used computer power points for their presentations.

The purpose of this event is to bring awareness to the students of the past struggles of women to achieve equal rights and equal pay.

“Many of these high school students take for granted girls’ opportunities in education and sports and this research project is the first time they realize how recently things began to change in the favor of women’s equal rights,” Carolyn Bogott said in a press release. “We are so grateful to Austin High School administrators and staff for working with us on the project.”

This contest is in celebration of Women’s History Month. The other Women’s History Month event that Austin AAUW shares with Austin High School each year is an all school assembly featuring an woman considered to be outstanding. Winners of the women’s history contest will be honored with cash prizes at that assembly. This year’s assembly speaker is Ann Bancroft, Arctic Explorer.