It’s Time to Put Jewish Women ‘On the Map’

The Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) just launched “On the Map,” the first online guide to physical landmarks in Jewish history, a sort of Google Maps for places with personal, political and historical meaning in Jewish women’s lives.

I liked the idea of the site in theory, but figured it was worth checking into practice, so I went to the “On the Map” website and discovered that no one had posted a Minnesota landmark on the site. G-d forbid!

First I added literary pioneer Ruth Brin’s birthplace in Saint Paul, Minnesota as a landmark, uploaded her photo and a short bio from her TC Jewfolk obituary in September 2009.

Ruth Brin's Birthplace, on "On the Map"

But since “On the Map” is not just historical and political, but personal, I decided to add another landmark in Jewish women’s history – mine.

Me and my mother at Roy Wilkins Auditorium

On October 30, 2009, my mother moved for my admission to practice law in the state of Minnesota before the Minnesota Supreme Court in Saint Paul’s Roy Wilkins auditorium. My Central high school graduation in May of 2001 was held in that same auditorium, and I, terrified and thrilled, sang the song “Out Here On My Own” from Fame in front of thousands of people.

My mother’s welcoming words on the occasion of my admission to practice were captured on youtube.

My second addition to “On the Map” was thus Saint Paul’s Roy Wilkins Auditorium, because for me it will always be a place of personal power for me as an independent woman.

Please join me in adding important women’s historical, personal and political landmarks to JWA’s “On the Map” website – whether they are in Minnesota, or other places around the world.

Let us know in the comments once you’ve added a place to their map. and give us the link!

Filed Under: Jew To Do

Tags: Jewish women, Jewish Women's Archive, On the Map, Ruth Brin, women's history month