How I Spent My International Women's Day

I spent my International Women’s Day off spreading the message of equality to my son’s 1^st grade class during Read Across America Week 2014.  He chose one our favorite books, Mama Played Baseball by David Adler.  It is a historical fiction book based on the formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (A-AGPBL).  The story features a little girl named Amy and her mother becoming a female baseball player while her father is serving in World War II.

Our copy of Mama Played Baseball was actually autographed by a former Rockford Peach, Sara “Salty” Sands from Orangeville, Pa.  We passed her autographed trading card around for his classmates to look at. They were surprised to learn someone close to our area played in the A-AGPBL.  I told them how I had the honor of meeting her and what a humble person she is. She laughed when I told her she is piece of history and I keep her trading card locked in a firebox. 

Before I read to my son’s class it gave me the opportunity to talk about equality in general and women’s rights. Some children actually mentioned Martin Luther King Jr. and the lessons they learned in January about equality.  We also had time to talk about how reading is important in our daily lives and just not a mandatory school subject.  They had interesting replies such as: reading to grocery shop and check prices, cook food, take medicine and read traffic signs.

I truly hope my son’s peers keep reflecting on the things they learn at school and apply them as they grow.  I enjoyed listening to their questions and responses. Read Across America is an important program that can be used to teach more than just the importance of literacy. 

Submitted by Sara L., Northumberland County Legal Advocate