The spirit of discovery and exploration is alive and can be found in nearly every nook and cranny of Bend’s newest mixed-use community, Discovery West. Even something as simple as the street you live on can hold a story as we celebrate significant discoveries in the fields of medicine, technology, science, space and geography (just to name a few) throughout history. These discoveries—and the amazing people behind these discoveries—have saved lives, increased knowledge and defied odds for centuries.
To honor a few of the people who made these discoveries, we’ve named nearly all of the streets in Discovery West after 19 intelligent, courageous, inquisitive and inspiring women who have contributed so much to our world. That’s right, all our neighborhood streets bear the surnames of those who have undertaken careers as explorers of land, space, animals, history and the world around us. Each of these courageous and accomplished women has a story, and we’re excited to tell them all to you over the months to come.
As we swiftly approach National Women’s History Month (March – United States), and International Women’s Day (March 8 – globally), it’s a great time to celebrate diversity. These observances issue a call to action for all of us to strive toward an equal, enabled world. This lofty goal can be achieved in part by celebrating women’s achievements, in big ways and small. Activist Gloria Steinem once said: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
Discovery West’s vision is to create a community filled with variety where everyone can thrive and enjoy all that the Central Oregon lifestyle has to offer. Honoring women who have done everything from developing the whooping cough vaccine, walking in space or even studying primates, is one part of that vision. These Women of Discovery will not only have a place in history—but also in the Discovery West neighborhood.