Blasting Forward with Alexandria Support & National Connections

Alexandria, VA – Whether you are a sportscar fan or simply someone who treasures getting somewhere smoothly, there will be four different unique opportunities to rally around women’s impact here in Alexandria for Women’s History Month sponsored by the National Center of Women’s Innovations (NCWI):

The public is invited to the unveiling of the Dr. Gladys West exhibit underwritten by Trimble and housed at the VT Innovation Campus (3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria VA 22305).  Bring family and friends.  Get your first look at the fabulous new VT Innovation Campus’s Building One in Potomac Yard, munch on some light refreshments and delight in learning more about Dr. West, thanks to the VT design team who worked closely with NCWI and the West family to develop a compelling, interactive exhibit that touches the head and heart.  As a poor, black sharecropper’s daughter, West transformed her life through education and then changed the world with her brilliant mathematical skills to precisely map the world. Sign up for the free  March 7th unveiling at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unveiling-of-dr-west-mobile-exhibit-tickets-

A celebratory Women Start Your Engines Luncheon will launch our year of saluting women and autos.   Join us as a sponsor March 7th from 12:30- 1:30 PM at the Royal Nepal, 3807 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria VA 22305.  Space is limited.  Call 757-656-09870.

As part of our national pop-up campaign, banners posted around Alexandria will showcase forgotten women innovators linked to cars and racing.   My favorite example is Dorothy Levitt, a woman ahead of her time who was inventive, historic, and fashionable.  She invented the rearview mirror to help win races and be safe on the road.   Levitt was called the fastest “Girl on Earth.” She was Britain’s first female racing driver and held the world’s first water speed record and the women’s world land speed record h. She taught Queen Alexandra and the Royal Princesses how to drive and was often arrested for driving too fast.   She fled her home to escape an arranged marriage.   Levitt illustrates how women have, despite social barriers, directly helped society with their inventive savoir faire and independence.

To help share such stories, we tapped local talent, former Alexandria teacher, and long-time resident Ellan Moore, who graciously developed the pop-up layout concepts.    Want to underwrite these banners or have a special place at your office or in your building for a flying banner of herstory, just call us to spread the word: Women are Driving Change!   757-656-9870

Nina Tisara, an Alexandria Living Legend, has offered to share 20% of her sales with as a donation to NCWI on International Women’s Day, March 8.  Stop by her Gallery’s Open house  11 a.m. – 1 p.m., (other hours by appointment), 6408 Hayfield Place (in Rose Hill); RSVP to [email protected].  Tisara is also offering 20% off her mosaic sales during March (Women’s History month) and April (Earth Day, Global Astronomy month, World Creation and Innovation Day).   Nina’s meticulous work reflects her life’s transition fromAnn Phan, Jane Plitt, Scott Fralin VT Deisgner, Donna Parry, Photographer. Photo Courtesy of Jane Plitt photographer, historian, advocate, feminist, to mosaic artist.