Women's History Month events on Long Island

This 1960 photograph by Tony Vacarro shows artist Georgia O'Keeffe... — This 1960 photograph by Tony Vacarro shows artist Georgia O'Keeffe posing with her painting "Pelvis Series, Red with Yellow" in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. Vaccaro, 97, was thrown into WWII with the 83rd Infantry division which fought, like Charles Shay, in Normandy, and then came to Schmetz's doorstep for the Battle of the Bulge.(Photo courtesy Tony Vaccaro via AP) Credit: AP/Tony Vaccaro

By Gina Tabarusgtabarus@newsday.comUpdated March 23, 2024

Women’s History Month has its origins in a national celebration in 1981, when Congress authorized the week of March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. For the next five years, Congress designated a week in March as Women’s History Week. In 1987, after petitioning by the organization now known as The National Women’s History Alliance, Congress designated March as Women’s History Month. Since 1988, Congress or the president has issued annual proclamations to continue the tradition. The theme for this March, as designated by the alliance, is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Please confirm events before setting out.

MARCH 26

COMMACK

WOMEN OF THE CIA

Discussion of how pioneering women overcame obstacles to become valued members of the CIA, 2 p.m., The Smithtown Library, 3 Indian Head Rd., free, resident cardholders can register at smithlib.org, 631-360-2480.

MASSAPEQUA

THE JONES FAMILY OF LONG ISLAND

Denice Sheppard of the Oyster Bay Historical Society shares information from the society's archives that highlights members of the Jones family from the Massapequa community, including American suffragist Rosalie Gardiner Jones, 2 p.m., Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbor Lane, free, register at massapequalibrary.org, 516-799-0770.

MARCH 27

BALDWIN

ART TALK

Mary Vahey presents a historical art tour of significant female artists from the 17th century to the present, including Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Louise Bourgeois, 7 p.m., Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., free, register to attend in-person or online at baldwinpl.org, 631-223-6228.

HUNTINGTON

LUCILLE BALL: THE QUEEN OF COMEDY

Film enthusiast Lawrence Wolff discusses the life and career of entertainer Lucille Ball, featuring video clips and a display of memorabilia, books and autographs, 6:30 p.m., Huntington Public Library, 338 Main St., free, register at myhpl.org, 631-427-5165.

SAG HARBOR

DIVERSITY FILM SERIES

Screening of "Suffragette" (2015, rated PG-13, 1:46), starring Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter, about a diverse group of women who fight for equality and the right to vote, noon, John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main St., free, johnjermain.org, 631-725-0049.

MARCH 28

CENTEREACH

HISTORY BUFFS BOOK CLUB

Discussion of the biography "The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones," by Larry Loftis, 7 p.m., Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., free, register at mcplibrary.org, 631-585-9393.

COLD SPRING HARBOR

BEYOND THE BOOK

Discussion of the novel "Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-Gazer," by Sena Jeter Naslund, the story of a woman's triumph over tragedy and loss through her courage and creativity, participants also inspect artifacts and writings left behind by local whaling wives, light refreshments served, 6:30 p.m., The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., $15, free for Huntington and South Huntington library patrons, register at cshwhalingmuseum.org, 631-367-3418.

HUNTINGTON

LISE MEITNER: A PHYSICS LOVE STORY

Discover the life and work of physicist Lise Meitner, including her role in the 1938 discovery of nuclear fission, 7 p.m., Huntington Public Library, 338 Main St., free, register at myhpl.org, 631-427-5165.

SOUTHAMPTON

INTREPID WOMEN

Author Lester Paldy discusses the women of Britain's Special Operations Executive during World War II, copies of Paldy's book "No Cloak, No Dagger: A Professor's Secret Life Inside the CIA" will be available for purchase and signing, 1 p.m., Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Farm Rd., free, cost for the book, register at myrml.org, 631-283-0774.

SYOSSET

THE GRANDLY IRREPRESSIBLE MAGGIE SMITH

Learn about the life and career of award-winning actress Maggie Smith, 2 p.m., Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Rd., free, syossetlibrary.org, 516-921-7161.

MARCH 29

CENTRAL ISLIP

MOVIE

Screening of the documentary "Fly Like a Girl" (2019, not rated, 1:24) about female pilots and astronauts, noon, Central Islip Public Library, 33 Hawthorne Ave., free, register at cilibrary.org, 631-234-9333.

Compiled by Gina Tabarus with LaToya Rodriguez and Daniel Variano