History Behind Women's History Month
Have you ever wondered why the month of March is given the title of Women's History Month? Have you ever thought about why there is a whole month dedicated to women? Who made this happen? Why does this happen? Has Women's History Month always been a thing? There are a lot of answers to these questions! I cannot wait to share with our readers this history. Or should I say 'her-story'... :)
It is true: the month of March is dedicated as Women's History Month. As February is dedicated as
Black History Month, and September 15th to October 15th is dedicated as Hispanic Heritage Month, women deserve their own share of national recognition. However, who decided the month of March? The answer is really simple. Since 1975, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th. The month of March has its roots in celebrating women, so utilizing the rest of March doesn't seem too far-fetched. Not too long after the declaration of International Women's Day, the USA (specifically California) began turning their wheels of recognizing women. This effort snowballed from a local celebration. In Santa Rosa, California, the "Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a 'Women's History Week' celebration in 1978" ("Why March is National Women's History Month"). These organisers chose the week of March 8th because of International Women's Day. This community began such a monumental movement. Quickly, various other communities and school districts took inspiration from Sonoma County's Women's History Week. They implemented their own Women's History Week. Now various other communities continue to take their inspiration from these origins.
Then President Jimmy Carter recognized the week of March 8th, 1980 as National Women's History Week. To think of the significance of this declaration in 1980 is astounding. From a local effort in Sonoma County in California, now women are being recognized across the entire USA. All of it! Despite this glorious win, there came an issue: the dates of Women's History Week were ever-changing. There would be constant effort to promote the dates of the week, but things would get too confusing. To combat these ever-changing dates, a petition for Women's History Week to expand into Women's History Month began. Since 1987 and legally known as Public Law 100-9, the entire month of March became forever known as Women's History Month. This law is clear: "the month of March 1987, is designated as "Women's History Month", and the President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities." Women fully deserve the month of March dedicated to them. It is beautiful to think about the history of Women's History Month.
How did you celebrate Women's History Month?
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| Figure #1 - Women from Santa Rosa, California having a parade in honor of Women's History Month in 1979. |
It is true: the month of March is dedicated as Women's History Month. As February is dedicated as
Black History Month, and September 15th to October 15th is dedicated as Hispanic Heritage Month, women deserve their own share of national recognition. However, who decided the month of March? The answer is really simple. Since 1975, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th. The month of March has its roots in celebrating women, so utilizing the rest of March doesn't seem too far-fetched. Not too long after the declaration of International Women's Day, the USA (specifically California) began turning their wheels of recognizing women. This effort snowballed from a local celebration. In Santa Rosa, California, the "Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a 'Women's History Week' celebration in 1978" ("Why March is National Women's History Month"). These organisers chose the week of March 8th because of International Women's Day. This community began such a monumental movement. Quickly, various other communities and school districts took inspiration from Sonoma County's Women's History Week. They implemented their own Women's History Week. Now various other communities continue to take their inspiration from these origins.
 |
| Figure #2 - A message from Jimmy Carter when designating the week of Women's History Week. |
Then President Jimmy Carter recognized the week of March 8th, 1980 as National Women's History Week. To think of the significance of this declaration in 1980 is astounding. From a local effort in Sonoma County in California, now women are being recognized across the entire USA. All of it! Despite this glorious win, there came an issue: the dates of Women's History Week were ever-changing. There would be constant effort to promote the dates of the week, but things would get too confusing. To combat these ever-changing dates, a petition for Women's History Week to expand into Women's History Month began. Since 1987 and legally known as Public Law 100-9, the entire month of March became forever known as Women's History Month. This law is clear: "the month of March 1987, is designated as "Women's History Month", and the President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities." Women fully deserve the month of March dedicated to them. It is beautiful to think about the history of Women's History Month.
How did you celebrate Women's History Month?
Sources:
"Why March is National Women's history Month." National Women's History Alliance, https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-month-history/.
Figure #1 - http://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/the-sonoma-county-roots-of-women-s-history-month/article_25e1247c-1734-11e8-a06b-57f089a6b1e0.html
Figure #2 - https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211878323
"Why March is National Women's history Month." National Women's History Alliance, https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-month-history/.
Figure #1 - http://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/the-sonoma-county-roots-of-women-s-history-month/article_25e1247c-1734-11e8-a06b-57f089a6b1e0.html
Figure #2 - https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211878323
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