A word of caution!

Beware, the Excel Document I provided you with corresponds to my research notes and includes 335 names of women or twice as many as are featured in the triptych. You will find it a useful, quick preliminary reference as it contains basic biographical data on their lives and accomplishments. However, as tempting as it may be, that is not the list to choose from. For your selection of women to research, use the numbered lists that match the triptych's numbered outlines -- The list of names for Panel 1 can be found on the postcard. The lists for Panels 2 and 3 were emailed to you.

Ngozi: Jael Mbogo is not included in the final selection but let me suggest you consider the environmentalist Wangari Maathai instead. A Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2004, she is also from Kenya and involved with the United Nations.

Mary McLeod Bethune would be a good subtitute for Patricia Roberts Harris whose name does not appear in the final selection. She played a role as a consultant in the draft of the UN Charter.

This is the end of week one and every member of the team should make sure to post at least one woman they have decided to start their research with.

Hey Everyone!

Hello! Due to my various interests, I've decided to start researching a few women: Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Jael Mbogo, Mother Teresa, and Patricia Roberts Harris. I will certainly take a look at the book, The Hungry Heart, that Mireille mentioned. I also plan on talking to a few professors that can provide me with good references.

I look forward to working with everyone!

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to let everyone know that I would like to do my research on Oprah Winfrey. I'm also interested in doing research on Toni Morisson and Gisele Hamili.
I look forward to working with all of you.
See you soon!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to confirm that I am currently researching Colette. I'm very interested in working on writers (especially French writers) and dancers. Here is a preliminary list of the women I would like to work on: Gertrude Stein, Virginia Woolf, Sonia Delaunay, Isadora Duncan, Anna Pavlova, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Dunham, Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Audrey Hepburn, Margot Fontaine, Angela Davis, Alice Walker, and Marguerite Duras. I'm looking forward to collaborating with all of you!

Reminder

This is a reminder that by week's end each one of you is expected to post one definite choice of a woman you will want to study. You may also list a few other names of women you are interested in so as to avoid duplicating searches.

Keep in mind what was said at our last meeting:

• The blog is an effective tool of communication which was set up specifically for you to keep a log on your research, but also to make it easy for all members of the team to stay connected.

• You are expected to contribute to the blog regularly as your research progresses and encouraged to share and exchange information, tips and comments among yourselves.

• Do not forget to post a progress report once a month.

MaryAlice: Reading Christiane (not Christine) Amanpour's articles is a very good way to start to get a feel for her. Reading about her will also help you. As one in your selection, you also cited Katharine Graham, a truly inspiring figure. I urge you to read her autobiography (Pulitzer Prize winner) under the title: Personal History.

Natalie, the biography of Colette I mentioned to you is by Judith Thurman and it is called Secrets of the Flesh - A Life of Colette. I highly recommend it.

Hillary: Gloria Steinem was one you mentioned. Perhaps Germaine Greer could also interest you as another voice of feminism.

Ngozi, if Josephine Baker is still one you are interesting in, I would recommend you read Josephine, The Hungry Heart, a poignant account of her life written by one of her adoptive sons Jean-Claude Baker.

Hi everyone! It was so nice to meet all of you yesterday. I just thought I'd take a moment and mention that (if it is alright with everyone) I will start researching Christine Amanpour, CNN senior international correspondent. Not sure yet how I will proceed, perhaps with reading her stories. And just to mention a few other women I am interested in... Graca Machel, Katherine Graham, Jane Campion, Corazon Aquino and the list goes on and on. Okay, talk to you all soon! MaryAlice

Welcome!

Welcome!
You have just embarked on an exciting journey of discovery and learning that will affect your lives in a deep and meaningful way.

Leading the Way: A Tribute to Women of the 20th Century was conceived as a homage to women and with a mission to instruct, inspire and increase awareness of their essential contribution to our societies past and present.

The book, as a companion piece and a direct extension to the painting, is intrinsically part of its vision. Accordingly, your approach to research must be guided by and adhere to the overall project’s mission.

Leading the Way: A Tribute to Women of the 20th Century's first exposure to the world – first at the United Nations Headquarters last February and at the United Nations’ Palais des Nations in Geneva in July for the 60th anniversary of the Commission on the Status on Women – underscored my belief in the relevance of its mission and strengthened my commitment to diffuse its message internationally.

Now, in sharing my project with you, I am also transferring a share of responsibility. Carrying on the mission of Leading the Way: A Tribute to Women of the 20th Century begins with your involvement and your commitment to the subject of this internship. This book is an adventure that I am excited to share with you. You are the forgers of tomorrow. The World belongs to you and what you will make of that responsibility matters. Your involvement and contribution to your time makes a difference. Your commitment to our project is an opportunity for you to leave a mark and make a difference in that you will contribute to your time an important historical record.
Each one of the lives of these women you will be researching is a master class in History, every one of these women is a building block of our collective Humanity.

It will be hard work I know but I believe this internship can give you as much as you are willing to search and find.