OUR PROJECTS
Utah women make history.
It’s time to tell our story. Utah women have stood up and spoken out to make our communities better ever since our historic first votes in 1870. Their stories deserve to be told. By sharing our history in creative and communal ways, we inspire Utahns to live up to our great legacy of women's advocacy. Our projects elevate women’s voices and perspectives past and present.
Here’s how we do it.
Martha Hughes Cannon exhibit at the State Capitol for International Women’s Day.
Martha Hughes Cannon exhibit and toolkits
It’s been 125 years since Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon made history as the country’s first female state senator. Utah passed legislation in 2018 to commission a new statue of Dr. Cannon to represent Utah in the U.S. Capitol. The pandemic delayed her planned installation in 2020, so our “Legacy of Leadership” traveling exhibit is sharing Dr. Cannon’s story across Utah while we wait. Libraries, towns, and museums can request to host the exhibit, and educators or learners can request a free toolkit with podcasts and videos about Dr. Cannon as well as lesson plans, primary source sets, activities, and printable swag.
The exhibit includes the model statue created by sculptor Ben Hammond. See the exhibit schedule or request a toolkit at the link below.
“Lifting as We Climb,” by Brooke Smart, in the Richmond Park Community Garden.
Women’s History Mural Project
We’re working to increase women’s visibility in Utah through public art! In partnership with Wasatch Community Gardens and the Sema Hadithi African-American Culture and Heritage Foundation, we commissioned a mural featuring 4 Black women who lived and worked in Salt Lake City’s Central City neighborhood. Each woman lived at a different time and each is depicted wearing a different hat that represents her contributions to the community.
We’ll install a mural in another community garden in summer 2023 – this time in Rose Park!
Zitkala-Sa, by Leila – 2021 prize winner.
She Started It – Student Art Contest
Utah women made history, but they’re often missing from the classroom. Better Days is changing that with students’ help. Our annual art contest encourages students in grades 4-12 to research women who made a difference in their own community. Winning art earns cash prizes and tickets to local venues, as well as the opportunity to be part of a special traveling exhibit with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums! Click the button below to see the details for the 2021-22 contest, or visit a virtual exhibit here.
The 2022-23 contest will be announced in September 2022.