Wiki Edit-a-Thon Study Break

We use Wikipedia for everything: trivia, research, or random deep dives. But Wikipedia is run and edited by humans, and therefore its articles reflect a massive gender gap: according to recent studies, over eighty percent of Wikipedia editors are men, and under twenty percent of the biographical pages are about women.

The Museum of Work & Culture (a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society) has collected (and in some cases begun!) articles on the five brilliant women featured in its recent exhibition “Rhode Island Women Create”: Betsey Metcalf Baker, Christiana Carteaux Bannister, Martha Jenks Chase, Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, and Matilda “Sissieretta” Jones. These pages all need different amounts of TLC, whether it’s researching biographical sources, writing actual content, or simply editing existing material.

That’s where you come in!

You are invited to drop-in to a Zoom study break at any time on Sunday, November 14 between 12 pm and 3 pm to participate, whether you’re an experienced Wikipedia editor or use the site for research. MOWC Exhibit & Program Coordinator (and graduate of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Wiki Scholars Course) Deborah Krieger will lead this event, offering suggestions and assistance.

Here’s how you can prepare:

1. RSVP to dkrieger@rihs.org and create a Wikipedia account before the event
2. Bring one or two music recommendations
3. Be ready to edit, research, and/or write to your comfort level on these five amazing women!

Come take a break from homework, listen to music, and work towards making public knowledge more accessible and equitable!

The Museum of Work and Culture is supported in part by a general operating support grant from RICHARG – a joint grantmaking initiative of the Humanities Council and RI State Council on the Arts to distribute American Rescue Plan Act relief funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts.