In Context

Building Gale In Context: For Educators—A Product Manager’s Perspective

| By Liz Collins, K-12 Product Manager | “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” The sentiment of this quote, attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, rings true for product managers who are trained to think about problems or “pain points.” We turn challenges into data that can be used … Read more

Joy Harjo Becomes the First Native American U.S. Poet Laureate

| By Laura Avery | Multifaceted author, artist, and musician Joy Harjo made history in 2019 when it was announced she would become the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate. A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Harjo is also the first Oklahoman to hold the honor. While studying art in school, she attended readings … Read more

To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before*

| By Traci Cothran | The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI currently has an exhibit on Star Trek; since I watched this show all the time growing up, I checked it out and brought a few tribbles with me, too.  It was a good exhibit – featuring original costumes and props (phasers! scanners!) along … Read more

The Great Debate

| By Tracey Matthews, K12 Content Strategist , Gale | Complete your debate prep for the National Speech & Debate Tournament with Research In Context! With several portals (or topic pages) on social issues, Research In Context helps middle schoolers make connections to the world beyond the classroom, write persuasive research papers, and prepare well-informed … Read more

Understanding Suicide Awareness & Prevention Through Gale Resources

| By Tracie Moy | Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and suicide rates have increased by more than 25% in the last two decades1. Acknowledging for every suicide there are 25 attempts that aren’t fatal, you realize the extent of our current mental health crisis. Suicide awareness and … Read more

Access a Canadian Perspective

| By Julie Mellors, Content Developer, Gale | O Canada! Have you checked out Gale’s Canada In Context database recently? There’s plenty to see. We have added a lot of timely and important new portals that deserve a look. Canada In Context is a database that was created for students and researchers studying Canada, its people, … Read more

Discovering the Black Hole

| By Gale Staff | As the first-ever picture of a black hole was unveiled last week, the world reacted with excitement to an image of an orange ring of light, surrounded by the deep, black abyss. Scientist Katie Bouman, a postdoctoral fellow who contributed to the project, instantly became a hero for women in … Read more

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

| By Traci Cothran |

How wonderful is it that following the release of the movie “Hidden Figures,” the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson are now known by millions?  Their collective story is an impressive and important one, yet it’s a part of our history that’s been concealed for decades.

What other significant contributions by women are also shielded from view?  It’s a joy to uncover these gems, and allow them to inspire other women and girls today.  To me, that’s what Women’s History Month is all about—shining a light on the often overlooked contributions made by women throughout history.

Here are just a few, randomly chosen women from today and yesterday whose work and lives are notable.  You’ll find them all in Biography In Context, among other Gale resources.  As you read about them, you’re bound to discover other interesting women, too!

Maria Tallchief – (1925-2013) Tallchief was the first American-born woman to achieve prima ballerina status at a major dance company; she was also a member of the Osage Nation.  She’s featured this month in Research In Context.

Zora Neale Hurston – (1891-1960) A writer and major figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston is a favorite of mine, for both her wonderful writing and her ability to live an unconventional life for women of her era.

Read moreWOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Women’s History Month: Women in STEM

| By Tracie Moy | March is Women’s History Month! And while it’s important to recognize the achievements made by all women, we are here to talk about women in STEM; these women are scientists, physicians, engineers, mathematicians, environmentalists, physicists… the list goes on! From a historical perspective, we typically think of the Jane Goodall’s and … Read more