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EXPLORING THE ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MARCH AS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Acknowledging the accomplishments of women across various fields significantly contributes to fostering self-esteem and creating new prospects for women and girls.

Globally, the month of March is commonly recognised as Women’s History Month, an annual event devoted to honouring the significant contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary society. Yet, many are unaware of the origins and purpose behind this celebration. In this article, I will provide a brief overview of the beginning of Women’s History Month. Interestingly, Women’s History Month did not originate as a worldwide movement but rather as a tribute to women’s roles in American history. Initially, it was established as Women’s History Week before evolving into the month-long observance we know today. It is also essential to note that Women’s History Month is different from International Women’s Day. If you are curious to learn more about the origins and development of Women’s History Month, please read on.

The genesis of what we now recognise as Women’s History Month traces back to the local celebration held in Santa Rosa, California in 1978 when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week Celebration”. Before that time, the contributions of women to American history were largely absent in school curricula across the United States, posing a challenge for students to understand their significance. Thus, the organisers strategically chose the week of March 8th to align with the global observation of International Women’s Day, with the event geared towards ensuring the recognition of women’s contribution to societal development and the inclusion of women’s history in the curriculum of schools across the country. The week-long celebration featured essay contests, parades, as well as presentations that showcase women’s contribution in schools across Sonoma County.

In 1979, Gerda Lerner played a pivotal role in chairing the Women’s History Institute, a fifteen-day conference held from July 13th to 29th at Sarah Lawrence College. Co-sponsored by the college, the Women’s Action Alliance, and the Smithsonian Institution, the conference brought together leaders from national organisations dedicated to women and girls. Inspired by the success of the Women’s History Week celebration in Sonoma County, attendees at the conference resolved to launch similar activities within their respective organisations, communities, and school districts nationwide. This momentum also led to collective support for establishing a National Women’s History Week.

In 1980, a coalition comprising women’s advocacy groups and historians, spearheaded by the National Women’s History Project (now known as the National Women’s History Alliance), effectively advocated for national recognition. In February of that year, President Jimmy Carter issued the inaugural presidential proclamation designating the week of March 8th, 1980, as National Women’s History Week in the United States. According to him,

“From the first settlers who came to our shore, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose name we know so well”.

Subsequent administrations continued this tradition until 1987 when the United States Congress passed Public Law 100-9, formally establishing March as “Women’s History Month”. Between 1988 and 1994, the U.S. Congress passed additional resolutions empowering the president to annually proclaim March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each successive U.S. president has issued an official proclamation designating the month of March as Women’s History Month. The colours: purple, green, and white are used every month to honour women who paved the way for other women to follow both in the past and the present.

Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance carefully selects and announces the annual theme. During Women’s History Month, we honour the courageous women whose efforts have significantly contributed to fostering a more just and equitable world for all. The theme for the 2024 Women’s History Month is “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion”. Today, these principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion stand as formidable catalysts, profoundly impacting our nation and the world in general. Throughout March, we are called upon to reflect upon and celebrate the countless, often unsung heroines who have played pivotal roles in advancing the collective pursuit of freedom and equality worldwide. The 2024 theme acknowledges women who recognise that to shape a brighter future, we must eradicate bias and discrimination from both our personal lives and institutional frameworks. This period also serves as a poignant reminder that despite the strides made, there remains substantial work ahead to dismantle the barriers hindering women and girls from realising their fullest potential across all spheres of life.

There are countless remarkable women worth celebrating during National Women’s History Month. Here are just a few examples:

1. Malala Yousafzai- Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.

2. Kamala Harris- Vice President of the United States and the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to hold this office.

3. Angela Merkel- Former Chancellor of Germany and the first woman to hold this position.

4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie- Acclaimed Nigerian author and feminist advocate.

5. Greta Thunberg- Swedish environmental activist leading the global movement for climate action.

6. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (posthumous)- Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and a pioneering advocate for gender equality and women’s rights.

7. Jacinda Ardern- Prime Minister of New Zealand and a prominent advocate for social justice and women’s rights.

8. Serena Williams – Renowned tennis player and advocate for gender equality in sports.

9. Oprah Winfrey – Media mogul, philanthropist, and influential advocate for women’s empowerment and education.

10. Michelle Obama – Former First Lady of the United States and advocate for healthy living, education, and women’s rights.

11. Dr. Jane Goodall – Primatologist, ethologist, and conservationist known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees and environmental activism.

12. Tarana Burke – Social activist and founder of the “Me Too” movement, raising awareness about sexual assault and harassment.

13. Indra Nooyi – Former CEO of PepsiCo and a trailblazer for women in corporate leadership.

14. Gerda Lerner (Posthumous)- Pioneer in the field of women’s history

15. Maya Angelou (Posthumous)- American author, poet and civil right activist

These women have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive world for all. They have also made significant contributions in their respective fields, inspiring generations and advancing the cause of gender equality and women empowerment worldwide. Are there other women you think are worth celebrating during this National Women’s History Month? Feel free to drop their names and what they do in the comment section.

References

Women’s History Month. Retrieved on 3rd March 2024 from https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month

The 2024 National Women’s History Theme. Retrieved on 3rd March 2024 from https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2024-whm-theme/

Why March is national Women’s History Month. Retrieved on 3rd March 2024 from https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month-history/

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