What do Julia Child, Mindy Kaling, and the Seneca Falls Convention have in common?
All were answers to questions during Cambridge’s Women’s History Month trivia night, hosted by Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui at Lamplighter Brewing’s Cambridge Crossing location. The event, which drew about 60 attendees, celebrated women’s accomplishments, with a dose of healthy competition.
“It’s really nice to have people come out here,” Siddiqui told Cambridge Day. “A lot of people are struggling right now, especially with everything happening in the world, so it feels good to come together and celebrate women’s history.”
Siddiqui has a spot in Cambridge women’s history, as the first Muslim woman elected mayor. She’s also the youngest woman to serve in the role, having first taken office at 31.
The questions focused on female historical figures, celebrities, and athletes. Groups came up with team names in the spirit of the event, including The Rosies, The Hot Flashes, and The Sumbullians, after the mayor herself.
Attendees received free tacos from Crazzy Tacos, also in Cambridge Crossing, and a free non-alcoholic beverage from Lamplighter’s selection of mocktails. Players vied for a first prize of a $30 gift card and an opportunity to have lunch with Mayor Siddiqui.
Some didn’t feel great about their chances but were happy to support the cause.
“Given that there are some large teams here, we’re feeling like this might not be a victory,” said Karen Guttentag, a member of a duo vying for the top prize. “But we’re good strong feminists … now more than ever, we need to celebrate and draw attention to the experiences and accomplishments of amazing women.”
While most attendees were women, over a dozen men came to show their support. “I learned a lot about women’s history!” said one male participant.
Significant strides have been made for women both nationally and locally. Cambridge elected its first woman to the role of Mayor, Barbara Ackerman, in 1971 — 50 years before Boston. From 2024 to 2025, for the first time ever, Boston, Somerville and Cambridge all had female mayors.
Sarah Syed, a Ph.D. student in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program, acknowledged that progress isn’t always linear, especially for female scientists like her, but there was still cause for celebration.
“It’s important that we come together to have fun around this topic, because I think it’s something that we don’t really talk about in a common way. It’s more mentioned as something like, somber and sad,” Syed said. “But I think when we frame it as something more like, ‘This is all that we’ve accomplished in the last century, like, how much more we can accomplish?’ it’s super important.”
She also offered her personal thanks to Mayor Siddiqui, who she first met as an undergrad at MIT four years ago. “When we look at the political landscape right now in this country, about research in general, but specifically women’s health, it’s difficult to get funding for us. And I think when Mayor Siddiqui puts on an event like this, it reminds us that there are people in government that care about me personally.”
Cambridge resident Bibiana Gambia said she had been meaning to come to a trivia night at Lamplighter for a while, but the event’s theme was what catalyzed her group of four to finally sign up. For her, the event was also an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of women before who paved the way for future generations.
“We still have a long way to go, but I one hundred percent see the difference from the stories my mom tells me about going to the office, working alone with a lot of men. She had to really force herself to be seen,” said Gamba. “Right now, I work, and it’s fine. I do feel like there’s still more to do in terms of rights, but at the same time, it’s good to see how things are now.”
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)3 nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.