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Category: Women’s History

The Enduring Legal and Creative Legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Posted by: Alison Hall

During her nearly twenty-five years with the Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was involved in many copyright law cases and wrote the majority opinion for one of the most important decisions, Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., Inc. She was also a copyright owner, writing and registering memoirs and children’s books with the Copyright Office. Learn more about her legal and creative legacy in this blog post.

Meet Sarah Beth Morgan: An Animation Artist Drawn to Purpose

Posted by: Ashley Tucker

The Copyright Office celebrates Women’s History Month and this year’s theme, “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.” As part of this year’s celebration, Copyright Office staff sat down with Sarah Beth Morgan, an animation director, illustrator, and muralist who has practiced art across the country. Morgan attended Savannah College of Art and Design …

Meet Olivia Charmaine Morris: A Champion for “People of Color and Colorful People”

Posted by: Ashley Tucker

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, when we recognize the history and impact of LGBTQ individuals in the United States. This year, the Copyright Office celebrates Pride Month and extends our World Intellectual Property Day campaign by spotlighting Olivia Charmaine Morris (she/her), who is a queer media mogul and entrepreneur …

muliticolor representation of Dolly Parton (left) and Whitney Houston (right)

Celebrating Women Through Their Copyright Story: Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston

Posted by: Alison Hall

More than once, a cover of a hit song has become an even bigger hit than the original. According to American Songwriter, it happened with songs such as “Respect” (written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, remake by Aretha Franklin), “All Along the Watchtower” (written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan, remake by Jimi Hendrix), …

In top right corner, an open ink bottle is next to a fountain pen. Some drips of ink surround the tip. YText reads, "First Published Novel by a Native American Woman: Wynema: A Child of the Forest by S. Alice Callahan"

Celebrating the Firsts: First Published Novel by a Native American Woman

Posted by: Ashley Tucker

This year, we are celebrating Native American Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Day with a blog series called Celebrating the Firsts: Shining a Light on Trailblazing Artwork by Native Artists. In this four-part series, we are recognizing five indigenous creators who have participated in our copyright system and enriched our culture. Join us on a …

Three Ways Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, Shows Us That Copyright Registration Is for Everyone

Posted by: Ashley Tucker

You are a creator. You are a copyright owner. You are a user of copyright. Copyright law encourages all walks of human life to express their creativity. Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, is a prime example of just how wide copyright law’s inclusivity stretches and proves that registration is within reach for all of us. …

A hand holds a small notebook featuring a painting of a landscape up to compare to the real landscape in the background

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Conversations About Creativity, Hope, and Healing, Part 2

Posted by: Nora Scheland

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the intersection between creativity, hope, and healing. In part two of our two-part blog series, we talk to some more of the women who work at the U.S. Copyright Office about what it means for them to be creative.

Someone is holding up a large quilt with a purple edge, and may differently shaped and colored squares quilted together across the middle. The quilt contains lots of yellows, purples, and shades of brown.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Conversations About Creativity, Hope, and Healing, Part 1

Posted by: Nora Scheland

I have always been someone who likes to make things. I love to bake and cook, I like to knit, and I make my own ceramics. I am drawn to items that were made by hand, either by me or someone else, and I am convinced that I will never be finished finding art for …