In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting three libations brought to you by female leaders in the beverage business. Better still, they’re all made-in-Maryland producers, contributing their spirits and flavors to our local culture.

Old Westminster Winery “Anthem” 2016
($35, Old Westminster Winery)

Lisa Hinton and her sibs, Drew Baker and Ashli Johnson, have poured their tremendous youthful energy into their family property to transform it into one of Maryland’s most respected wineries. Lisa has quickly grown into her role as winemaker, as evidenced by her 2016 Anthem, a red Bordeaux-style blend. Deep red fruit tones from Cabernet Franc, structure from Cabernet Sauvignon, and lip- smacking acidity from Petit Verdot make this a delicious local wine for hearty meals.

Lisa Hinton at the Carroll County winery. —Old Westminister Winery

Checkerspot Cider
(On draft, Checkerspot Brewing Co.)

Judy Neff merged her Hopkins degree in microbiology with her love of brewing to found Checkerspot Brewing Co. on South Sharp Street. All her creations are cask-conditioned and currently available only on draft as a result. Checkerspot is a mecca for local beer aficionados, but we also want to point out their excellent cider, a dry Normandy style made from apples and pears sourced from Baugher’s Orchard in Westminster.

Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. Roundstone Rye
($38, Prestige-Ladroit)

Becky Harris began her professional career as a chemical engineer but landed in Virginia as co- founder and chief distiller of Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. Her most popular offering, Roundstone is crafted from locally sourced rye and offers notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and cigar box spice.

We spend a lot of time focusing on gender equality issues (gender discrimination, equal pay, and sexual harassment, to name a few), but in honor of Women’s History Month, spend some time looking back at our local and national history and reflect on how women of the past paved the way for future generations of female change-makers.

Women’s History Month at the B&O
March 1-31. Throughout Women’s History Month, visit this downtown museum to learn about the history of women’s involvement in the railroad industry and how they helped to construct the B&O Railroad. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Conjure Woman: Faith Healers, Hoodoo, and Spirituality
March 2. Spend the afternoon exploring the history of conjure women in the black community, featuring a discussion and lecture about the roots of the mystical tradition. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 1 p.m. Free-$8.

Celebrating Lillie May Carroll Jackson
March 7. In a partnership with the Walters Art Museum and Morgan State University, ceramic works by Robert Lugo featuring portraits of prominent Baltimore civil rights leader Lillie May Carroll Jackson and her daughter Juanita Jackson Mitchell will be on display at 1 West Mount Vernon Place. Attend this special talk to hear from experts at the Walters about the life and legacy of these two women. Lillie May Carroll Jackson Museum, 1320 Eutaw Pl. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Free.

Women Artists in Antiquity
March 10. Hear Patrick Crowley, assistant professor of art history at the University of Chicago, give a thought-provoking lecture about contributions from female artists of antiquity. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 2-3:30 p.m. Free.

Maryland Women Through History
March 15. Presented by the Maryland Historical Society, this afternoon program examines the lives of historical local women from colonial times through the 20th century, with a special emphasis on Baltimore socialite Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1303 Orleans St. 1 p.m. Free.

Women of the Wine World
March 28. Learn about how the centuries-old world of wine was shaped by women, and take notes on prominent female winemakers who continue to produce some of the most sought-after bottles of reds and whites. Bin 604, 604 S. Exeter St. 6-8 p.m. $10.

Women in Maryland
March 31. From spies and detectives to suffragists, local author Lauren Silberman will share her research on some of the Old Line State’s most noteworthy women. B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City. 3 p.m. $12.

The role of women in the media industry has become a hot-button topic in recent years with complaints of unfair wage gaps and lack of opportunities. Although women dominate communications departments at universities, the same cannot be said for newsrooms, film sets, and press meetings—a number that only decreases for women of color, according to reports.  

When Baltimore native and television producer Mia J. Davis got her start more than a decade ago as an assistant to Star Jones, she quickly noticed the lack of diversity. When she met casting recruiter Thea Washington who had similar experiences working on shows like The Bachelorette and Big Brother, the duo decided to create Color Vision—a platform for women who are seeking guidance in the communications world. 

“It’s really hard for women of color to get in the door,” Davis said. “Once they are in the door, it’s hard for them to get past a certain title. It’s just something that seems to be a recurring theme that I’ve found throughout my networks.”

Membership is free and open to any woman of color in the television, film, marketing, and digital industry. By signing up on Color Vision’s website, members will gain access to job boards for positions in the field, weekly newsletters with tips and advice, and information about networking events.

“I think it’s important for inclusion when it comes to media and representation,” Washington said. “A lot of women of color, actually, just women period, don’t know about all the opportunities open to them. and we wanted to make them available to all. I want to help them to navigate through the industry with things that I had to learn on my own.”

The Color Vision team is comprised of six additional women in various fields of communications, as well as an advisory board of 13 members. In addition to providing services for its members, Color Vision also offers assistance to companies looking to add some diversity to its marketing campaigns, including DeBeers, Beats By Dre, Under Armour, and Hilton Worldwide. 

The organization held its first event, “The Power Hour: Creating The Life of Your Dreams,” two weeks ago at Morgan State University. The panel discussion focused on navigating the communication field as a woman, featuring seasoned professionals in the media world including reality television personality Cyrene Lovette, radio and television personality Persia Nicole, and author and writer for Good Morning America Joi Marie McKenzie.

“We want to bring unity to the women of color in this industry,” Washington said. “We want them to have someone to look up to, and someone to help. Mentorship works both ways—we can share knowledge with one another.”

Davis and Washington are now planning their next networking event scheduled for early spring with high expectations for the future.  

“I would love for there to be Color Vision Wakanda,” Davis jokes, referring to the fictional country in Black Panther. “I just want to pay it forward. I want people to say, ‘Color Vision gave me the outlet to move my career forward.’

Women’s rights have been in the news a lot lately, with fears of female freedoms being endangered by the new right-leaning Republican White House and Congress. But if January’s Women’s March (and these 13 events) are any indication, our country’s wonder women won’t be backing down any time soon.

Lectures & Workshops

3/8: Nadia Hashimi
Baltimore County Public Library, 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville. 2:30 p.m. Free. The young novelist behind The Pearl That Broke Its Shell comes to the county to discuss Afghan women and the immigrant experience.

3/12: Guerrilla Girls
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 3 p.m. Free. In conjunction with the closing of the Guerrilla Girls exhibit, artist-activist Frida Kahlo joins the BMA’s contemporary curator Kristen Hileman to reflect on the human rights group’s legacy.

3/15: Society of Excellent Women
Open Works, 1400 Greenmount Ave. 6-9 p.m. Free. At this new monthly meet-up that celebrates lady power, enjoy a zine workshop with the female frontrunners of Baltimore’s self-publishing community and explore the new Open Works makerspace in Station North.

3/23: Roxane Gay
Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, 415 Park Ave. 6:30 p.m. Free. The acclaimed author chats about her best-selling books, such as Bad Feminist and Difficult Women.

History

3/2: Celebrating Women of the Renaissance
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 6:30 p.m. Free. National Museum of Women in the Arts associate curator Virginia Treanor discusses the experience of women artists and patrons in European history.

3/17: 4,000 Years of Women in Science
Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum, 300 Oella Ave., Catonsville. 7 p.m. Free. Join astronomer Sethanne Howard to learn about female contribution to the study of science.

3/19-5/19: Women of the B&O Railroad
B&O Railroad Museum, 2711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City. Fri.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free-$8. Get to know the female employees of the B&O, including legendary engineer Olive Dennis.

3/22: The Female Gaze in Anime & Manga
MICA, Brown Center, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave. 12-1 p.m. Free. Delve into the gender politics of graphic novels.

Theater

3/30: Women Rabbis, Revealed
Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. 7:30 p.m. $20-25. The Strand Theater presents a staged reading of stories from On The Fringe, a documentary film about L.A.’s female rabbis.

3/17-4/9: The Taming of the Shrew
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 S. Calvert St. Times & prices vary. This topical comedy follows the rollicking story line of the “untamable” Kate and her romantic escapades.

To 3/19: Motherhood Out Loud
Vagabond Players, 806 S. Broadway. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $10-20. This moving play turns the notion of parenthood on its head with comedy and celebration.

3/24-25: Womanizm
Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute & Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St. 8 p.m. $20-25. The Eubie Blake Cabaret Company performs this celebration of black women.

With “women’s issues” at the forefront of the national debate, now is the perfect time to celebrate the accomplishments of fearless females throughout history. Whether learning about lives, commemorating contributions, or helping a cause, Baltimore has something for everyone this Women’s History Month.

MAR. 1-31 // B&O WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$18. 410-752-2490. Learn about past and present women’s roles in the railroad industry.

MAR. 1-31 // MT. CLARE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Mount Clare Museum House, 1500 Washington Blvd. Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$5. 410-837-3262. Examine the lives of women during the Colonial period in this 18th-century home.

MAR. 6 // QUEER QUEENS OF QOMEDY
Magooby’s Joke House, 9603 Deereco Rd., Timonium. 5 p.m. $25-40. 410-252-2727. Laugh along with this lesbian trio’s comedy show.

MAR. 7 // CELEBRATE GREAT WOMEN & GIRLS
Enoch Pratt Free Library, 6310 Reisterstown Rd. 4 p.m. Free. 410-396-0948. Bring your kids for an afternoon conversation about historical women and girls achievements.

MAR. 10- APR. 2 // WOMEN’S WORK: CHANGING THE SUBJECT
New Door Creative, 1601 St. Paul St. Tues.-Sat. 12-5 p.m. Free. 410-244-8244. Consider female artists as printmakers at this all-new, international exhibit in Station North.

MAR. 12 // QUILTER JOAN GAITHER
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 1 p.m. Free-$8. 443-263-1800. Hear this local artist discuss her documentary quilts, which tie together stories of our state’s history and communities.

MAR. 18-APR. 3 // LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL
Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St. Times vary. $10-20. 410-752-1225. Explore one of the last performances of famed jazz singer Billie Holiday’s life, set in a bar in Philadelphia—just four months before her death.

MAR. 26 // PORTRAITS IN SONG
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $17-23. 410-276-1651. Hear local musician Ellen Cherry perform songs inspired by historical women, accompanied by artist Liz Downing’s portraits.

Lauren Silberman’s book Wild Women of Maryland, which showcases fearless females who bucked the status quo, arrived just in time for Women’s History Month. Silberman, who in addition to being an author is deputy director for Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, talked about the inspiration for the book and a few of her daunting dames.

What made you decide to write the book?
I have written a couple of other books, among them Wicked Baltimore: Charm City Sin and Scandal, and it was a really enjoyable experience. I really got a kick out of digging into those lesser-known stories and tales, and we have so many in this state. But it took some time to try and figure out what I wanted to do next . . . I was at Kensington’s book festival that’s in April each year and I met [another author] who had done a book called Wild Women of Washington, D.C. and I stopped in my tracks . . . I said [to the author], ‘Are you planning on doing one on Maryland? I can think of just off the top of my head some amazing, cool stories of women, and I’m sure there are so many I don’t even know exist yet’ . . . That very afternoon, I contacted my editor, and said ‘We have to do one. And it can’t just be a Baltimore book, there’s so many more women in this state.”

How did you pick whom to include?
I really was struck by the idea that it had to be someone who was not just trailblazing, and she certainly didn’t have to be someone whom we would revere today. The most important thing was that she had to be willing to go against societal expectations, and she had to have a really good story. There are some really fantastic women in our state’s history who are so many other superlatives, and there have been books about them . . . But to be a wild woman of Maryland, you had to be a bit of a daredevil. You had to have this quality that you were willing to risk something important. You couldn’t just be the first person to have done a new surgical procedure, for example, which is still notable, courageous, and important. But it’s not necessarily wild.

You broke down the characters, by categories—“So-Called Witches,” for example, and “Postmasters and Pencil Pushers.” How did you decide to take that approach?
I wasn’t sure who all would make it into the book. Wicked Baltimore had been chronological, and it didn’t take long to learn that chronological wasn’t going to work here. As I started to find women . . . themes began to emerge—women who were doing crazy things for their work, or being a part of war time, which brings out some of the most dangerous and daring stories. As I started to figure out who would be in the book, and make connections between the women, that’s when the categories really started to emerge. The hardest one was the very last chapter [Defying Expectation: Ladies Beyond Categorization]. These are women who aren’t bad women, or evil women, but they’re not exactly women we look up to as traditional role models, perhaps, like Wallis Simpson.

One of the women in that category was Divine. Was she someone you knew you wanted to include from the beginning?
I debated. The thought had occurred to me from the beginning. In the story, I mention the sculpture of Divine at the American Visionary Art Museum, which was my entry in learning about Divine. My very first trip to Baltimore 15 years ago was to AVAM, and there she stood. You couldn’t escape her, and she was amazing and fantastic. Ever since then, I was quite entranced. But I went back and forth, because she is a character because actor didn’t personally identify as a woman, though he was exploring sexuality and gender identity through the role.

You mentioned that you had some ideas of who would be included in the book. But what was your research process like for finding other women?
I am very fortunate that I have spent my entire career in museums because it’s given me a lot of great people to talk to. And we have a number of fantastic libraries in this state—the Maryland Room at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, they also have a great African-American history room there, the Maryland Historical Society. They also have librarians that specialize in these areas, so they are wonderful resources. Even occasionally I’d just Google some words, like ‘I wonder if there were any Maryland women who were involved with World War I?’ Once you start reading about some of them, there are breadcrumb trails you can follow.

It also seemed like you had a good range of stories. While some showcase significant trials and tribulations, others are about adventure, like Edith “Jackie” Ronne, who explored the Arctic in the 1940s.
I had some pretty strict criteria, like I wanted to make sure I had women from across the state and that I had women from a variety of time periods, so it wasn’t too heavy on any particular era. I wanted diversity, so it wasn’t just a story of one particular privilege. I would have liked to have some more, and I think if I would have focused more on the modern period I would have had more diversity.

It seems like this book is showcasing characters that aren’t always included in the history books, but perhaps should be.
Growing up in Tennessee, we spent a year on state history. And looking back, all the people I remember hearing about were male. I don’t remember hearing any female stories. One of the reasons I did want to do this book was to bring women’s stories to light, especially a lot of lesser-known women. Finding out about women like Virginia Hall, the fact that she became a spy during World War II is in itself cool enough, but the fact that she did it as a woman, and with only one leg is extraordinary, and you would never believe it unless you can see that it’s true. There’s so many stories like that I really wanted to make sure got told. The only one of these woman I would have known of growing up would have been Harriet Tubman. But I didn’t know the rest of her story. The fact that she rescued so many people would have been enough, but then, during the Civil War, she served as a spy, she served as a nurse, she launches a military campaign. Her story becomes more and more extraordinary as you come along and we don’t necessarily know about the rest of it.

Did you find any one particular story that surprised you, that had one of the most amazing stories you’d ever heard?
I’d have to go back to Virginia Hall again . . . but also Sarah Wilson, who was one of the colonial women who came here as a servant, and then ran away and pretended to be the sister of a queen and got away with it for a while. It’s so remarkable, and it makes you think about that as people, we often hear what we want to hear some times, and that someone could get away with that.