Thousands of pink Pussyhats flooded cities all over the United States last January during the Women’s March. Each woven strand proudly endured the frigid blusters as women held up their signs in proclamation that they would no longer be silenced, ever.
Now, those revolutionary pink hats have joined the many pink shirts, pink gloves and pink signs of Women’s March memorabilia flooding the halls of the Women’s Museum of California to celebrate the events happening right now in women’s history.
“We were just overwhelmed with donations for this year’s exhibit,” said Melissa Jones, director of marketing for the Women’s Museum. “We have signs, we have buttons, we have T-shirts… my personal favorite, though, are these pink boxing gloves someone brought to the march and had all the participants sign them.”
The exhibit, “Marching Towards Empowerment,” has been open since last Friday, but will remain open during the museum’s annual Fall Benefit Dinner, taking place Nov. 15. Not only will guests of the benefit have the opportunity to walk through the 100 years of Women’s March history in America — admiring the letters of Susan B. Anthony, political cartoons from years past and Pussyhats from last year’s march — but will also have the chance to meet the creator of the hats herself, activist Krista Suh. “I’m looking forward to celebrating the good work the Women’s Museum is doing, and the unique time for women in our history that we are witnessing right now,” said Diane Peabody Straw, the museum’s executive director. “We see the effects this museum has on the community first-hand through the conversations women are having with one another. This is why I’m looking forward to Krista speaking about her activism and the importance of representation for women.”
Being a screenwriter, artist, and activist, Suh refers to herself as a “Craftivist.” She recently wrote a book titled, “DIY Rules for a WTF World: How To Speak Up, Get Creative and CHANGE THE WORLD,” sharing her tools, tips, experiences and “rules” for getting bold, getting out there, and getting the world to change. While her Pussyhats will be on display only, her book will be available for purchase at the benefit dinner.
“Krista’s vision just fit so well with this year’s exhibit,” said Jones. “Our whole goal is to empower women, and what better way to do that than to hear a female leader like Krista speak and motivate others to act? “We’re not just four walls that you hang stuff on. We are a living, breathing part of the women’s movement and a safe space where people can be part of a community that shares in their emotions about these topics, whether you’re a man or a woman.”
In addition to Suh as their keynote speaker, Peabody Straw anticipates the museum hosting City Attorney Mara Elliot and San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria as additional speakers. There will be an opening reception and cocktail hour as well as a sit-down multi-course dinner with a theme of “wine, cheese and chocolate.” In addition, live music performed by renown female artists will conclude the evening. Though the event is very much a celebration of women, Jones says men are welcome to attend.
“It’s their history too,” said Jones. “While women need to know they can become president or a CEO or even military leaders, men need to learn that women are their equals and can be their leaders and can be their bosses.”
Most museums lack telling the women’s story, but we’re witnessing history happen in real time. This exhibit and this benefit put it all into context.”
Located in Liberty Station (2730 Historic Decatur Road), the Fall Benefit Dinner will take place at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $125 and can be purchased at womensmuseumca.org. While the museum’s newest exhibit will be open to explore the night of the benefit, it will remain in exhibition through January, just in time for the Women’s March of 2019. “That’s the beauty of it all,” said Jones. “You can go to the Women’s March downtown and then stop here and see the march exhibit and get empowered to just go and do something. I mean, that’s really what this is all about, being inspired to go out and make a difference in the world. That’s the point of all this.” Fall Benefit Dinner Where: 2730 Historic Decatur Road. When: 6 p.m. Nov. 15. Info: For tickets and more information, visit womensmuseumca.org.