Eleven months ago, the genesis of an idea was born after a sad observation: Croton had failed to commemorate Women’s History Month in 2025. What was worse, a neighboring community, in its observations of women of achievement, had claimed one of Croton’s remarkable women as their own.
The game was afoot. Croton women needed to redress that wrong and decided to create March 2026 Women’s History Month celebrations of Croton’s extraordinary women. The events would be under the umbrella of the Croton Council on the Arts (CCoA) but would draw from the riches of the community, its past, present and the seedlings of its future.
The very first of “Our World’s Creative Women” events is a young woman’s art show lead by the Woman’s Empowerment Club of Croton Harmon High School. A Woman’s View opens at the Black Cow on March 2 with an after-hours reception on Thursday, March 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be homemade cupcakes and cookies, a henna table and student singers. Come see how our young women of today interpret their world through art. By the Dam Books will be open, so you can shop for books by and about Croton women during the reception.
During March throughout the village, you may also observe placards of women whose achievements have gone down in the annals of history. No longer with us, their presence is still felt in every aspect of our lives—in scientific advancements, progressive social policies and all the arts: music, literature, performance, film and photography.
Thank you to all the businesses who have placed these placards so that visitors to their establishments can learn more about our remarkable history and the out-sized roles our predecessors have played in this small community. Our local Girl Scout troops are helping other children to learn more by sponsoring a “placard hunt” with prizes at the contest’s end.
There are two exhibitions graciously hosted by the Croton Free Library. In the Gallery is Women Behind the Lens, a photography show by contemporary Croton women. The Ottinger Room is the site of an art show, Women’s Viewpoints, Ourselves, Our World. These exhibitions open March 4 with a reception on Saturday, March 7, 1 to 4 p.m. You should not be surprised by the amount of extraordinary talent that exists amongst us!
On March 8 CCoA will be presenting Denise Bessette portraying Colette in No Regrets, a one-woman performance about the writer’s life in occupied Paris during World War II. This ticketed event takes place in The Grand at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase through The Grand. (thegrandcroton.com.)
Writers who are looking to be published can get some sound advice. On March 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Symphony Knoll (15 Mount Airy Road S.) two seasoned professionals will give a talk on “Two Ways into Print: Getting Your Writing Published.” CCoA Board members Cornelia Cotton and Jeanne-Noel Mahoney will provide some handy tips and wise counsel.
Music anyone? Well, yes! March 21, 5 to 8 p.m., the Bennett Conservatory is having its annual benefit concert and cocktail reception at Croton’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation, featuring musicians Jessica Krash and Sophia Steger. This ticketed gala event has a discount prior to March 1, so rush to get your tickets now from the Bennett Conservatory. (bennettconservatory@gmail.com)
So as to not leave out jazz aficionados, CCoA, the Library and the Arts and Humanities Advisory Council are co-sponsoring jazz sensation Summer Camargo’s concert, March 22, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Croton Free Library. It’s free to the public. Keep in mind that the Ottinger room fills to capacity, fast. Don’t miss the chance to experience what should prove to be an astonishing performance by Camargo’s Quartet with her “golden” trumpet and accompanying players.
