Merced County Courthouse Museum’s newest exhibit, "Celebrating Women in Merced County History," will open on Thursday, March 8 at 5pm. The exhibit will feature obscure and well-known historical figures from Merced County’s past. They were homemakers, suffragists, prohibitionists, educators, artists, writers, business entrepreneurs, social activists, and community leaders. These female pioneers and their contemporaries who fought for women's liberation, rights, and social justice with their heroic stories can serve as an inspiration in the present day. On this International Women's Day, we will celebrate their lives and legacies with photos, stories, and discussion. At the opening reception, former County Supervisor Kathleen Crookham will facilitate a panel discussion on "How We Make a Difference in Our Community."

The groups participating in the exhibit include: American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters of Merced County, Merced Business and Professional Women, Merced California Women for Agriculture, National Council of Negro Women, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Veritas Parlor #75, Soroptimist International of Merced, and Women's Clubs in Merced, Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Los Banos, Snelling and Winton. For more information, please call 723-2401. Follow us at Facebook.com/mercedmuseum.