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Thursday, February 28, 2002

By Monica L. Haynes, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Pittsburgh women have done it all. They've written novels, formed opera companies, sold war bonds, built airplane motors, published newspapers, even tasted pickles for the greater good.

	Maya Angelou

Some are famous. Test your knowledge in the accompanying quiz. The majority of these women, who contributed to the development of the region in small but important ways, are not well known.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has placed seven photos of interesting but unidentified women on display in its main branch in Oakland as a part of its National Women's History Month program.

"Celebration of Phenomenal Women" will held at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Maya Angelou, poet, historian, author, actress and activist, will read from her works in this tribute to some of the region's most influential women, past and present. A 6 p.m. reception will precede Angelou's appearance. The event is named for her acclaimed poem "Phenomenal Woman."

	March National Women's History Month Quiz: Can you identify these women? Women's History Month events National Women's History Month Web Sites Help the Carnegie Library identify the women in these seven photos

The library hopes visitors will be able to identify the Pittsburgh women in the photographs on display, which were discovered while staffers were conducting research for Sunday's program.

"There are plenty of other photos, [but] these were the most intriguing," said Lane Cigna, manager of communications for the library.

The photographs were culled from more than 50,000 or so in the library's Pennsylvania Department.

Some of the information in the photos indicates that Pittsburgh women were involved in at-home efforts during World War I and II, such as selling war bonds, working in the food conservation effort or cleaning engines in a manufacturing plant. In others, the women are participating in various aspects of community, business and social development.

Can't make it to the library to check out the photos? No problem. They're also posted on the library's Web site, www.carnegielibrary.org.

Tickets for the event are $200 for reception and performance and $100 for performance only. Call ProArts at 412-394-3353.