Office of Women’s Policy

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Origins

In 2018, County of Santa Clara County Supervisors began a conversation about how women are represented in public spaces; and they endorsed a plan to commemorate women’s historical contributions to the region and beyond. In 2020, the Office of Women’s Policy launched Womanhood, a public art project that will realize that goal, recognizing women across all intersectional identities and acknowledging that this region was originally occupied by the Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone people.

Womanhood

Womanhood is actively engaging Santa Clara County community members in honoring women's contributions through temporary and online public artworks, naming/renaming of public buildings and spaces, and permanent commemorative artwork and public places. We are working closely with people who live, work, and play in the region to identify existing and potential sites throughout the County to honor women and their contributions.

Through participatory research, Womanhood will look beyond monuments and employ the gender lens in how we honor women, groups, places, and historical events with the goal of creating at least six permanent interactive and educational recognition projects across the County. Womanhood is using a variety of tools, including CoUrbanize, an interactive mapping program, to gather ideas and recommendations.

All Women

Santa Clara County’s women have many stories to tell; in all fields both humble and celebrated. Until now, as Virginia Woolf said, “For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” Starting today, we are telling women’s stories to remember their impact on Womanhood. Stories for, by, and about women across all intersectional identities. Including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), women of color, LGBTQ+ women, transgender and nonbinary identities, women who express and feel freely and fluidly, and women across all diverse languages, abilities, status, and immigration backgrounds.

Criteria for Honoring Women

Women who have lived or worked in Santa Clara County
Women whose work has contributed to region and beyond
Women who have lifted the lives of others

Commenting on the Map

How are the women you want to recognize connected to Santa Clara County?
Where are areas of opportunities to recognize women?
How do you want to recognize women is specific areas?
Where are existing women recognition sites and public art that need more context?

How Can I Get Involved?

Womanhood is a multi-year project and there will be many opportunities for community members to participate in this countywide project. Here’s how you can get involved:

Attend an Online Workshop or Community Engagement Event - Check out the coUrbanize site or Womanhood calendar regularly for announcements of upcoming online and in-person events and pop-ups in your city.

Nominate a Woman or Group for Recognition - Inspirational women come from all backgrounds. Our maternal figures, educators, community organizers, nurturers, leaders all have stories yet to be told and often hidden within the shadows of others. Whether past or present nominate a woman or group that has made significant contributions to your community who can be considered for recognition as part of Womanhood.

Get the Word Out - Please share this project with your neighbors, family, and friends. Womanhood and the many stories that are honored will be community-driven.

Subscribe to this Project for Email Updates - Continue the conversation with others within your community and get updated of new posts and project announcements.

Add Your Ideas to the Map - How can women’s recognition be tied to place? Your participation is key in helping us identify ideal areas and content for recognition projects that can be accessible and relevant to your community.

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