[MassHistPres] FW: Special invitation fr. Bonnie Hurd Smith

[Burks, Sarah]

I'm forwarding this women's history trail notice to the listserve for Bonnie Hurd Smith. Please reply to Bonnie with any questions.

Sarah Burks

From: Bonnie Smith [mailto:bmhsmith at comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 6:33 PM
To: Ann.3-22-10
Subject: Special invitation fr. Bonnie Hurd Smith

A Challenge for National Women's History Month 2011

This is a special invitation for
* fans of women's and local history
* community leaders and planners
* volunteers and staff of historical organizations
* those who are planning women's history public art projects or trails with another theme

Here we are in the waning days of National Women's History Month 2010 and I would like to propose a radical idea for March 2011.

But before I do...

Did you know that there are only about 20 women's history trails in the United States? Out of how many states, counties, towns, and neighborhoods??? Yikes!

How many stories could be told by communities coming together - nonprofits, for-profits, and municipal leaders - to create a women's history trail that would present a more balanced picture of history AND inspire people of all ages to act and contribute?

Yes, there are dozens of historic sites and museums across the country that tell women's stories, but TRAILS - either walking trails or driving trails - provide the opportunity to tell even more stories and truly engage an entire community in the process.

But where do you even begin? Who can you ask for guidance? Are there resources out there? How do you know it will work?

Please join me for a courtesy conference call on Friday, March 26, 2010 from 4 to 5 pm EST when these and other questions will be answered!

You may sign up for the call at my new company website, www.historysmiths.com<http://www.historysmiths.com>. Go to the "CALLS" section listed on top.

 I am especially excited to tell you that my special guest on the call will be the historian Polly Welts Kaufman.

Many of you know or know of Polly, but for those of you who don't, she was one of the founders of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail 20 years ago - the first women's history trail in the U.S. Polly was also the project director for women's history trails in Portland and Brunswick, Maine, and Oslo, Norway, where she taught under a Fulbright fellowship several years ago.

Polly teaches history at the University of Southern Maine, and she is the author of National Parks and the Woman's Voice: A History, and the editor of Her Past Around Us: Interpreting Sites for Women's History.

I first met Polly when I served as executive director of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail, and I remember asking her, "How did you get involved in this work?" Polly, an avid mountain climber, replied, "When you cross a hiker with a women's historian, what you get are women's heritage trails."

Polly and I both serve on the Trails Committee of the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites.

Here's what we will provide on the call:

* An overview from Polly about some of the trails she has helped create
* Some tips on how to get started on content for your trail
* Some tips on how a trail can benefit your community

I will also tell you about my forthcoming Ebook, 10 Easy Steps to Create a Women's History Trail in One Year.

You may also be interested (relieved?) to know that I am available for consulting as well in the areas of trail development and marketing. This call could be a first step.

One year from now...

The reason we are doing this call NOW, during National Women's History Month, is because IMAGINE if one year from now we were able to announce the opening of 50 more trails. 100. Even more.

Would that boost the visibility of women's history across the country? YOU BET!

Would that send a strong signal to girls and women that their history is important - and so are they? YES!

Would more women's history trails illustrate to boys and men that we have always worked together and still should? OF COURSE!

Please join the call on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 4 pm EST to find out what is possible for YOUR community.

Just go to www.historysmiths.com<http://www.historysmiths.com> and sign in! You will automatically receive a dial-in number and password.

And tell your friends! What an enjoyable and inspiring way to spend a Friday afternoon!

"See you" on the call,

Bonnie


P.S. You might be interested in my free special report on the economic benefits of a women's history trail. It is also available at www.historysmiths.com<http://www.historysmiths.com>.

P.P.S. If you received this message twice, please let me know!



Bonnie Hurd Smith
Hurd Smith Communications
15 Winter Street #2
Salem, MA 01970
www.hurdsmith.com<http://www.hurdsmith.com>
www.bonniehurdsmith.com<http://www.bonniehurdsmith.com>
www.jsmsociety.com<http://www.jsmsociety.com>
www.salemwomenshistory.com<http://www.salemwomenshistory.com>
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