In honor of Mother’s Day and in celebration of the contributions made by 18^th-, 19^th– and 20^th-century women, Gateway Arch National Park presents “Strong Women, Compassionate Hearts” on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Arch’s new west entrance. Throughout the free, day-long program, visitors of all ages can take part in a variety of activities including art projects, skits, dress-up and toy-making.

“Women have served in so many roles over the past three centuries, including entrepreneurs, outlaws, teachers, farmers and suffragists,” said Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann, director of education at Gateway Arch National Park. “They have made so many important contributions to American history. We invite you to Gateway Arch National Park to learn about their lives, their achievements and how they’ve shaped our country.”

Activities include:

• Participate in skits about free African-American women, presented by the Missouri Historical Society (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only).
• Take part in a special activity highlighting newspaper women from Nebraska, presented by the Bi-State Development Arch tram operations team.
• Participate in a quilling – a paper craft – project, presented by Never Bored Creations from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
• Make a buzz saw, a popular children’s toy of the 19^th and early 20^th
• Hear diaries of women pioneers heading West.
• Dress up as women of the West (includes photo opportunity).
• Participate in a petition activity about Virginia Minor and women’s right to vote.

If it is raining, the event will be moved indoors to the Arch Visitor Center mezzanine and Education Classroom.