Women’s Museum of California: “Women in Action”

By South OB Girl

Tucked in Liberty Station, across the street from Slater’s 50/50 Burgers, Ace Hardware, and Con Pane Bakery on Historic Decatur Road is a hidden gem of the peninsula and beach community — the Women’s Museum of California.  Little did you know that in the second story above the first floor exhibit hall lies an extensive archive and collection devoted to women’s history.

Some of Anne Hoiberg’s personal collection from the U.N. World Conference on Women

Opening on Thursday evening Feb. 4th was the museum’s new exhibit, which showcases the history of the United Nations commitment to global equality and women’s issues, and celebrates the 70th year of the U.N.’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Anne Hoiberg directs education for the museum and she is a wealth of knowledge about the museum and the U.N. In fact she will be headed to New York in March for this year’s Commission on the Status of Women.

For ten days, March 14-24, mainly women and some men will gather at the U.N. to discuss how far along the world has come to attaining improvements in 12 areas of action, with the goal of attaining those improvements by 2030. Areas of concern include economic empowerment, humanitarian efforts, ending violence, and seeing more women in positions of power.

Anne Hoiberg (left) and Aster Keleta (right)

The goals the U.N. has in mind are specific and have been for some time. At the height of the Women’s Lib Movement, in 1975, the first UN World Conference on Women was held to discuss and advance women. Three more World Conferences on Women followed, in 1980, 1985, and 1995, and there has not been one since 1995, which some consider to be in part due to the change in presidency in the United States.

The Commission on the Status of Women has been in place since 1946 and has continued to meet annually and address women’s issues. The 12 areas of action are described in a booklet called the “Platform for Action.” This is not a mainstream publication but those involved at the Women’s Museum would certainly like to see it become one.

The Museum was able to curate lots of cool paraphernalia from the World Conferences and mingled in with the educational materials are fascinating pieces of women’s clothing from around the world. Young children and mature audiences alike will enjoy the history lessons and visuals of the exhibit.

The show will run Feb 5 through March 27. If the content of the museum is not enough to peak your interest — it’s right down the street from Rosecrans, an easy drive from any part of town, with lots of free parking — and that makes it all the more enjoyable.

Address: 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16, at Liberty Station.
Hours: Wed – Sun, 12 PM – 4 PM
Admission: $5-Regular $3-Seniors/Students Members FREE
Website: http://womensmuseumca.org