Why Integrating Women's History in Education is Crucial for America's Youth

Elena Sheppard is a culture writer focusing on books, fashion, theater, and history. Her upcoming book, "The Eternal Forest: A Memoir of the Cuban Diaspora," will be published by St. Martin’s Press. The views shared here are her own. For more opinions, visit CNN.

When I started college, I realized how little I knew about women in US history. I had some knowledge about the first ladies, mainly because of their husbands, and I had heard of Betsy Ross, known for sewing the first American flag. However, during a college lecture on women's roles in American history, I was surprised by the names I had never heard before. Dorothea Dix, who revolutionized the medical field in the 19th century; Lucy Delaney, a former enslaved activist and writer; and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a key figure in the 19th-century women's rights movement, were all new to me, with Stanton only receiving a brief mention in my high school textbook.

Elena Sheppard

Elena Sheppard

This gap in my education, and in the education of many American students, has serious consequences. When our foundational education focuses on a male-centric past, it can make our male-centric present seem inevitable. Women’s rights are currently facing erosion in the United States, and the fight for equal pay continues. If we were taught in school how crucial women’s history is to understanding American history, we wouldn't have American adults with a limited grasp of women’s contributions and stories. If we are constantly taught that the most significant histories are about men and by men, it's understandable that we might grow up believing that men’s experiences are the most important.

A report by the National Women’s History Museum in 2017 looked into how K-12 social studies classes across the country include women and their stories in their curricula. The researchers pointed out that history projects always involve making choices, and unfortunately, women are often left out of the picture. In fact, a study from 2016 revealed that women are still underrepresented in US history textbooks, including illustrations and sidebars.

In addition, the 2017 report discovered that when women are mentioned, it is usually as an afterthought. They are typically added to lists of marginalized groups to remind teachers to include women’s experiences when discussing broad topics.

Elsie Robinson, Hearst-syndicated columnist and author.

Elsie Robinson, Hearst-syndicated columnist and author.

San Francisco Examiner/Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley

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Two high school history teachers, Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams, have started a national campaign to incorporate more women's history into high school classrooms via Advanced Placement (AP) classes. They are petitioning the College Board to create an AP US Women's History Course. Their argument is that women's history is not sufficiently taught.

The College Board, responsible for AP exams and SAT tests, did not make anyone available for an interview last year in response to a request for comment by The 19th. However, they did release a statement about their criteria for course assessment. This includes colleges and universities' willingness to award college credit and placement to students who achieve qualifying AP exam scores. They also consider the demand for the course in high schools and whether it aligns with the mission to expand access to a broader student population.

Seven years later, not much has improved in terms of the representation of women in history. The efforts of these two teachers highlight the need for a more inclusive curriculum that recognizes the contributions of women throughout history.

If the College Board supported the significance of women's history, it could help introduce it into non-AP classes. Currently, AP classes and exams are seen as indicators of academic rigor by students and college admissions. Having a dedicated AP course for women's history would highlight its importance and depth. However, all students should have the chance to learn about this history, not just those in AP classes. Developing an AP curriculum for women's history would bring national attention to its importance, potentially inspiring other educational settings to do the same.

Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign visit ahead of the South Carolina presidential primary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S. January 20, 2024. REUTERS/Randall Hill

Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently spoke during a campaign visit before the South Carolina presidential primary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on January 20, 2024. The event was covered by Randall Hill from Reuters.

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In a Ms. Magazine article, Kelly and Williams highlighted the lack of focus on women's equality in AP US Government & Politics, despite the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. None of the 14 Supreme Court cases required to be taught address women's equality, and none of the core texts are written by women. In AP US History, women's suffrage is often treated as just one part of the Progressive Era, leading to a devaluation of women's histories, stories, and contributions. This approach may contribute to the belief that women are secondary to men as students grow up.

There is a precedent for change within the College Board. The upcoming school year will see the introduction of the AP African American Studies course in response to similar concerns about underrepresentation in high school classrooms. However, the course has faced controversy, with criticisms that it does not delve deeply enough into structural racism or critical race theory, leaving many scholars dissatisfied with the final offering.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pledged to remove the course from classrooms in Florida because he believes it has a political agenda. Other states such as Arkansas, Virginia, North Dakota, and Mississippi have also decided to review the AP courses to ensure they comply with state regulations on teaching about race. It is likely that a women's studies AP course would also face controversy and scrutiny, especially regarding women's reproductive rights. However, not educating students on these important topics would be a disservice, especially as a new generation grows up with this educational gap.

Women should not be treated as secondary figures. It is important to recognize and appreciate their contributions and stories. Women's narratives should be an integral part of our national history that we teach to our students. Everyone, including women and high school students, deserves to have these stories included. It is up to us to make sure that women are given the recognition they deserve.

Editor's P/S:

This article powerfully highlights the glaring omission of women's contributions in American history education. It is alarming that despite the significance of women's roles throughout history,