The History of Women's History Month
Throughout millennia, the achievements of women have been greatly marred and overshadowed by those of men. It is a known fact that women have contributed so much to society that civilization would not have been able to progress at all without them. The vital roles of women in history is something that should be acknowledged and appreciated. Therefore, Women’s History Month was created in order to celebrate and document the contributions of women to history, culture, and society.
Why Do We Celebrate Women’s History Month?
Women’s History Month was created with the intention to celebrate the often-overlooked achievements of women in American society. The contributions of women date back all the way to colonial times, when Betsy Ross created the first American flag, and when Phyllis Wheatley gained popularity through her famous poetry. The suffrage movement has its roots in the 1840s, when women began to actively fight for voting rights. Women would find themselves at the center of several other movements in their fight for recognition and equal rights, such as the Civil Rights Movement, advent participation on the front lines in several wars as nurses, and being the focus of several key pieces of legislation that petitioned for equal protection of privacy and bodily rights.
From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Tubman to Sojourner Truth, Sylvia Plath to Margaret Chase Smith, Maya Angelou to Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and many, many more, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.
Women’s History Month initially began as a week-long celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by a school district in California in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Following Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional legislation and resolutions authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Tubman to Sojourner Truth, Sylvia Plath to Margaret Chase Smith, Maya Angelou to Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and many, many more, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.
Women’s History Month initially began as a week-long celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by a school district in California in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Following Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional legislation and resolutions authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
international women's day
While the United States dedicates the entire month of March to the contributions of women, the international recognition occurs on March 8th of every year. This event began as a global celebration of the political and social achievements of women in 1911, although it was celebrated on March 18th then. On that day, more than a million Austrian, German, Swiss, Polish, Dutch, and Danish women took part in marches and meetings. The Austrian-Hungarian Empire alone witnessed more than 300 demonstrations. (It is interesting that women only had the right to vote in less than 20 countries at the time when this day became a thing.) However, the earliest purported Women's Day observance, called "National Women's Day", was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City, organized by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. Many countries celebrated with public demonstrations, parades, and traditionally gifting women flowers or other gifts.
The United Nations began to officially sponsor International Women’s Day in 1975. When adopting its resolution for the observance of this day, the United Nations proclaimed that its purpose was to “recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.”
The United Nations began to officially sponsor International Women’s Day in 1975. When adopting its resolution for the observance of this day, the United Nations proclaimed that its purpose was to “recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.”
theme of women's history month
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The National Women’s History Alliance selects a new theme annually. The theme for 2022 is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." This theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history."
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the overall importance
Women have contributed so much to the progression of science, art, and society as a whole. Their countless struggles and contributions on the path towards equality should not only be recognized, but also commemorated. Although Women’s History Month is a time to do these things, it is important to remember: You can still appreciate and show your respect, interest, and gratitude for the countless women in your life every single day.
