Follow-Up: Women’s History Crawl

Jul 9, 2025
Photograph of a freestanding chalkboard sign reading "Sonoma State Historic Park, Celebrate Women's History Month, Saturday 11-5 P.M. March 1st Barracks Courtyard, Learn about the inspiring women in California history, 11-12 Speakers: R. M. Beebe & R. Senkewicz, 1-3 Women's History Crawl, 2 Book Discussions with Ivy Anderson & Devon Angus, Free! All Are Welcome! Win Prizes!"

We are still so pleased with the turnout for the Women’s History Crawl at the Sonoma Barracks this past March. What a great way to celebrate California women with a fun community event. We are grateful for everyone’s support who made this event a reality.

Photograph looking down into the unpaved courtyard of the Sonoma Barracks hosting a semi-circle of staffed outreach tables and visitors

Women’s History Crawl Tables in the Sonoma Barracks Courtyard

There were at least three factors which worked in the event’s favor. First, besides being a beautiful sunny Saturday, the Sonoma Barracks is right off the town square, which most likely led to increased numbers of visitors to the event. Second, we advertised the event widely through Eventbrite, local newspapers, the local visitor’s bureau, social media accounts, local businesses, and within the parks. Third, with twenty-one organizations tabling and the two author-led book discussions, there were a diverse and large number of women to learn about. In addition, having multiple prizes for answering the questionnaires was a great incentive.

Photgraph of a freestanding wooden easel infront of an adobe wall; the easel is holding a canvas decorated with ribbons and is holding up several sheets of paper pinned to it, each representing a prize donated by a partner organization.

Women’s History Crawl Prize Board

Based on the feedback we received, there are at least three things we would like to do differently next year. First, we will replace the questionnaire with a Bingo card. Each Bingo square will contain an organization’s name, and we can make several cards by moving the names around. Once a crawler finishes at the table, the organization will stamp their card. If someone had Bingo in an x, then they would win a certain prize. If someone had a Bingo in all four corners, they would win a particular prize. Second, we would like to have live music. Having recorded music this year helped to lend a festive atmosphere to the event, so live music would only enhance the experience. Third, we would also like to have a video of the featured women playing on a loop in the AV room, and perhaps have individuals read an excerpt from something the featured women have written.

Photograph of a woman in a Calfironai State Parks Park Aide Uniform sitting behind a table liberally festooned with informational pamphlets, outreach materials, and interpretive items.

Carmen Vanni, Senior Park Aide

Overall, we are delighted with this event, and we based our Children’s Day event at the Sonoma Barracks, Sunday June 8th, on a similar format. We had organizations tables in the courtyard, the participants had their passport stamped and they entered the completed passport into a prize drawing.

—Deborah Lee, State Park Interpreter I, Bay Area District