Brooklyn Museum Celebrates Women's History Month

In celebration of Women's History Month and the first anniversary of the opening of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, the Brooklyn Museum presents a series of public programs, including discussions, music, and films focusing on women in the arts.

Highlights include a panel discussion titled Funding a Revolution moderated by Carol Jenkins and featuring women who are making historic strides in philanthropy; a dialogue with artist Ghada Amer; and a film from Women Make Movies.

"We must measure the emancipation of women on a centuries old yardstick," said Dr. Elizabeth A. Sackler, public historian, arts activist, and benefactor of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.

"One hundred fifty years ago in this country, it was rare for women to receive any formal education and to own property, or to have basic rights within a marriage.

One hundred years ago women had to fight, and fight hard, for the right to vote.

Twenty-five years ago, even after all the successes of the women's movement, the Equal Rights Amendment was left un-passed, in the dust.

So, you see, the yardstick is alive and well." "Yes," she concedes, "the glass ceiling is higher but not shattered.

It is necessary to pull out the bottom bricks of the patriarchal wall to move this country away from the male elitism that keeps prisoners of us all -- men and women alike."