Women’s History Month Reflection

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the often overlooked contributions of women in our society. Throughout our nation’s history, women constantly pushed back on gender norms and stereotypes to break down barriers in science, business, sports, arts, and the list goes on. 

A weeklong celebration of women’s influence on culture, history, and society, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1978 is regarded as the beginning of Women’s History Month. The celebration consisted of presentations, essay contests, and parades, and over the course of the next couple years, more and more school districts started their own celebrations of women’s history. Eventually, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th National Women’s History Week. This day is also celebrated as International Women’s Day, which is a global celebration of the economic, social, and political achievements of women. The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day since 1975.

National Women’s History Week turned into Women’s History Month in 1987, and since then, every March is spent revising notions of our history that largely ignored women’s contributions. There is still a ways to go in giving women the recognition they deserve, especially women of marginalized identities, but this is a starting point for greater change. Hopefully, we will start seeing more women in our history textbooks and discussions of women’s activism on popular media. 

It takes dedication and commitment to challenge longstanding histories of sexism and patriarchy, but change is possible. The Women’s Center works daily to raise awareness on women’s stories and experiences through our programming and online presence, and we hope this month offered you the opportunity to learn more and grow your awareness on not only women’s contributions, but also the issues that lie ahead. Celebrate the women in your life today and everyday! Happy Women’s History Month from the Women’s Center!

Resources

HeritageFoundation, director. Honoring Women’s History Month. YouTube, YouTube, 12 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzyHeQcFmvo. 

History.com Editors. “Women’s History Month 2021.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 30 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month. 

Zorthian, Julia. “March Is Women’s History Month: How It Started.” Time, Time, 1 Mar. 2018, time.com/4238999/womens-history-month-history/.