The More You Know: Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month, celebrated in March, is a time to commemorate and appreciate the many contributions made by women in America. Numerous women, such as Rosa Parks and Susan B. Anthony, have played vital roles in America that have paved the road and influenced other women to make generous and powerful contributions around the nation.
So how did Women’s History Month come to be?
It began as Women’s History Week as a local celebration in Sonoma County, California, in 1978. In 1980, a group of women lobbied for national recognition and got it. The same year, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week to correspond with Women’s Independence Day.
As Women’s History Month Coincides with Women’s Independence Day (WID), they share many signifying traits. The International Women’s Day website says 2022’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Break the Bias.” According to the website, “Whether deliberate or unconscious, the bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.”
One fun fact is that the Women’s Independence Day colors have deep meanings behind them. Originating from the United Kingdom in 1908, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) chose the colors to represent WID. They are purple, green, and white. According to the International Women’s Day website, purple symbolizes justice and dignity, green symbolizes hope, and white symbolizes purity.
According to womenshistory.org, in 1987, Congress passed a public law declaring March National Women’s History Month. Every year since 1995, every president has made annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month.
There are many ways one can celebrate Women’s History Month. Girlswithideas.com recommends learning the full history of Women’s History Month, making a girl power playlist, writing a thank you note to an inspiring woman, and many more great ideas.
Information for this article was found here:
31 Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month — Girls With Ideas
IWD: About International Women’s Day (internationalwomensday.com)
