Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library during the month of March when contributions of women and their roles in history and society are celebrated throughout the nation. The library invites the public to discover the life and story of Laura Scudder, a Monterey Park businesswoman who played a key role in today’s billion dollar American snack food industry with her potato chip factory in Monterey Park. Scudder’s life will be celebrated with local history stories, films, exhibits and a special book club on Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. in the library’s Friends Room.

Director and Executive Producer Alex Azmi will introduce a screening of “To Climb a Gold Mountain,” on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Friends Room. The documentary film tells the stories of notable Chinese American women who triumphed against circumstances and paved the road towards the American Dream for upcoming generations. The film traces the lives of Chinese women beginning in the 1850s when the first Chinatown appeared in Los Angeles and travels over 160 years to the 21st century.

A British historical drama on the struggle for the women’s right to vote in Great Britain will be screened on Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. in the Friends Room. The film, rated PG-13 is 106 minutes long and stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.

Guest speaker Hillary Jenks, Director of the Center of Social Justice in Riverside will share the history of Miné Okubo, Japanese American artist, writer and social activist best known for her book, “Citizen 13660,” the first account of Japanese American internment experiences which represented the voices of more than 120,000 Japanese American internees during WWII on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. in the Friends Room.

For more information about the programs call 626-307-1368 or follow on Twitter @MontereyParkLib. The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the city’s public library located at 318 S. Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Library hours are Sundays 1-5 p.m.; Mondays and Tuesdays 12-9 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more City of Monterey Park news and information visit the city website at www.MontereyPark.ca.gov.