In recognition of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S., Silicon Valley Reads 2020 will celebrate the achievements of women with books and events focused on the theme “Women – Making It Happen.” A variety of events for adults, teens and children will take place in Milpitas.
Rhonda Shapiro, author of “Fierce Women: Wake Up Your Badass Self,” speaks on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Milpitas Library. On Sunday, March 29, Claire L. Evans, author of “Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet,” will speak at the India Community Center (ICC) at 1 p.m. and at the Milpitas Library at 3 p.m. The ICC event, co-sponsored by Indian Business and Professional Women, will include a panel discussion of iconic women of Indian origin who have risen and shone in the male-dominated high tech industry of Silicon Valley.
Three films will be shown at Milpitas Library with content related to the Silicon Valley Reads 2020 theme. “Iron Jawed Angels” inspired by the life of suffragette Alice Paul, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. “Hidden Figures,” which scored three Oscar nominations, will be shown on Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. The biographical legal drama “On the Basis of Sex” about the life and early cases of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will be shown on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m.
Zoe Nicholson will present a solo performance of “Tea with Alice and Me” at the library on Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. The play focuses on Miss Alice Paul, the first person to organize a suffrage march down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
A workshop on entrepreneurship for children in grades 3 and up called “Learning from the Lemonade Stand” will be offered Sunday, March 8, at 4 p.m. Brian Weisfeld, author of “The Startup Squad” book series, will provide information on how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and life skills that will help each child pursue their passions and reach their full potential.
All local public libraries will offer story times for young children and families featuring “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires, the Silicon Valley Reads picture book pick for 2020. Some story times may feature celebrity readers and crafts activities. An animated short film version of the book, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, will also be shown at libraries in February and March.
Silicon Valley Reads, started in 2003, is presented by Santa Clara County Library, Santa Clara County Office of Education and San José Public Library. It selects books that reflect a theme relevant to the region and asks everyone in the community to read, think, discuss and share their diverse perspectives. For more information, visit SiliconValleyReads.org.
Diane McNutt is coordinator of Silicon Valley Reads.