Pioneering women who led and won struggles for equality and civil rights; created and advanced educational and professional opportunities; and made great contributions to the arts, sciences and humanistic causes are honored each year during the month of March - National Women's History Month. This special celebration evolved from National Women's History Week which began in 1981 as a result of a Joint Congressional Resolution. In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. The Canton Public Library offers year-round access to a wide variety of resources highlighting the accomplishments and achievements of women.

African Americans are at the heart of the greatest achievements of our history, from music to law, from politics to sports, from literature to religion. Below are just some of the biographies of influential Black Americans that can be found in the Canton Public Library's collection.

Books: Reference

African American Lives edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham (2004).

The Black 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential African-Americans, Past and Present by Columbus Salley (1992).

The movie adaptation of Michael Lewis' 2006 best-seller Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is in theatres now. Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron and Tim McGraw star in the true story of a homeless teen offered a second chance in life when he is taken in by an affluent family.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose has been named the winner of the 2009 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Don't miss the chance to read more about this courageous teenager and the role she played in the Civil Rights Movement.

From the media to the tabloids, you name it, Michael Jackson has been in it.
There has never been a Superstar who has broken so many boundaries. Take a closer look inside the life of Michael Jackson in Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole story which follows his life, leading up to his untimely death that shocked the world. 
   You can also checkout Unmasked: the final years of Michael Jackson.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy passed away early this morning after a long battle with cancer. He was 77. Kennedy, nicknamed "Ted," and known as the "Lion of the Senate" was first elected to represent Massachusetts in 1962. He is one of only six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. Throughout this time he played major roles in the passage of such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act. He has also been one of the Senate's foremost champions of health care reform. Speaking to reporters after hearing the news of Kennedy's death, President Obama called him "not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy."

Mark Fidrych was introduced to the Detroit area back in 1976.  He was energetic, unique, and talented.  Fans everywhere watched his antics on the field from talking to the ball to kneeling down and smoothing out the mound. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1976 and went on to spend his major league career with the Detroit Tigers. Remember Mark Fidrych in his book No Big Deal published in 1977. 

R. Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller was the architect, mathematician and inventor who popularized geodesic domes. Chosen by many today for energy efficiency, domes can be a fun do-it-yourself project. Want to build your own clubhouse? Check out Domes by David MacCaulay then make your own geodesic dome with these instructions.

March is the month we celebrate the contributions of many hard working women throughout history.  You can find profiles of many fascinating women on our Women's History Month page.

March 2nd marks the 105th anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birth. Local retail stores, such as Meijer, are having birthday events for him this Saturday, February 28th, but his beloved books are always available at the library.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809.  He is considered one of our nation's greatest presidents.  Learn more about him in our Children's Biography collection, or read fictional stories about him in our Children's Fiction collection.

* = autobiography

• Esposito, Phil
  1. Phil Esposito: The Big Bruin, by Julian May
• Fedorov, Sergei
  1. Sergei Fedorov, by Dean Schabner
• Gretzky, Wayne
  1. The Picture Story of Wayne Gretzky, by Jim Benagh
  2. On the Ice with - Wayne Gretzky, by Matt Christopher
  3. The Great Gretzky, by Sydelle Kramer
  4. Wayne Gretzky: Hockey Great, by Thomas Raber
  5. Sports Great Wayne Gretzky, by K

* = autobiography

• Aikman, Troy
  • *Things Change, by Troy Aikman
  • Troy Aikman, by James Buckley
  • Troy Aikman, by Richard Rosenblatt
  • Troy Aikman, by Jim Souhan
• Bledsoe, Drew
  • Drew Bledsoe: Cool Quarterback, by Jeff Savage
• Campbell, Earl
  • Earl Campbell: The Texas Tornado, by Hal Lundgren
• Culpepper, Daunte
  • Super Sports Star Daunte Culpepper, by Stew Thornley
• Davis, Terrell

General Resources

• Biography.com
• Biography Resource Center (database)
• Who's Who in American History

Actors, Actresses & Entertainers

• Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 Entertainers
• VH1 Artists Page

African-Americans

• African-American Almanac Biographies

Athletes

• Basketball Hall of Famers
• ESPN Top Athletes of the Century
• Legends of Hockey