Women’s History Month Art and Essay Contest
02/23/2022
by Buffy Lockette
In honor of Women’s History Month, JSU has organized its second annual women’s history essay and art contest for all ages, genders and viewpoints. The competition is divided into four categories, based on grade level, as follows:
Elementary School Drawing Contest: Grades 1-4
Open to residents of Calhoun County of any gender who attend traditional or home school.
Draw a colorful picture on a letter sized piece of paper of a noteworthy, innovative woman you see as a hero. Use pictorial references to the woman’s accomplishments. For example, a drawing of Mae Jemison might include a picture of a rocket. Include a sentence naming the woman and describing her accomplishments (parents may help with this part). Email to WHM.EssayContest@jsu.edu by March 1 or mail to the following address with a postmark by February 25: JSU, Houston Cole Library, ATTN: Karlie Johnson, 700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265. Each picture must be accompanied by an information and consent form, available online or by emailing jgross@jsu.edu.
Middle School Essay Contest: Grades 5-8
Open to residents of Calhoun County of any gender who attend traditional or home school.
Write a grammatically correct 500-600 word essay about an empowered or strong woman. What traits does she have? How does she use those traits to make the world a better place for all people? The five paragraph essay format is suggested but not required. Email to WHM.EssayContest@jsu.edu by March 1 or mail to the following address with a postmark by February 25: JSU, Houston Cole Library, ATTN: Karlie Johnson, 700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265. Each essay must be accompanied by an information and consent form, available online or by emailing jgross@jsu.edu.
High School Essay Contest: Grades 9-12
Open to residents of Calhoun County of any gender who attend traditional or home school.
Write a grammatically correct 750-850 word essay about a woman who dared to be different. What kind of struggles did she face? What did she accomplish? How does she empower and inspire other people? “Different” can be defined as a person of diverse traits and backgrounds – personal, social, cultural, psychological, physical, professional, political, gender, religious, linguistic, ethnic, etc. The five paragraph essay format is suggested but not required. Email to WHM.EssayContest@jsu.edu by March 1 or mail to the following address with a postmark by February 25: JSU, Houston Cole Library, ATTN: Karlie Johnson, 700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265. Each essay must be accompanied by an information and consent form, available online or by emailing jgross@jsu.edu.
College Essay Contest: Undergraduate
Open to current undergraduate students enrolled at Jacksonville State University.
Write a grammatically correct, 1000-1200 word essay on the meaning of “feminism.” How do you understand its goals and strategies? Do you consider yourself to be a feminist? Why or why not? How has feminism changed our society?” The five paragraph essay format is suggested but not required. Email to WHM.EssayContest@jsu.edu by March 1 or mail to the following address with a postmark by February 25: JSU, Houston Cole Library, ATTN: Karlie Johnson, 700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265. Each essay must be accompanied by an information and consent form, available online or by emailing jgross@jsu.edu.
The contest will be judged by a panel of JSU faculty and staff, which will select one winner in each category. Winners will be announced at the university’s Women’s History Month Celebration on March 10. Each winning entry will receive a monetary prize and be published in The Anniston Star. For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Gross at jgross@jsu.edu.