Since 1987, March has been the month dedicated to honoring and celebrating women’s remarkable contributions. It is a time set aside to recognize women’s achievements that have shaped history, including and especially those whose impact has been overlooked.

Women’s History Month originally started as ‘Women’s History Week,’ similar to other celebrational months such as Black History Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In 1980, after relentless advocacy from women’s organizations and historians for recognition, President Jimmy Carter signed a Presidential Proclamation making the week of March 8 Women’s History Week.

After Women’s History Week was established, state departments of education encouraged local celebrations through special programs and essay contests. In Santa Rosa, California, a celebratory parade was held. Additionally, more than 100 women nationwide made special presentations in classrooms.

By 1986, 14 states had already declared March as Women’s History Month. This rise in effort led to Congress officially declaring March as Women’s History Month in 1987. Every year since then, a special Presidential Proclamation has also been issued. 

Today, women are still pushing and advocating for equality. Injustices in treatment, paychecks, workplace treatment, and rights are still present across the globe.

Women Throughout History

From scientists to authors to abolitionists, here are just a handful of women who have made incredible differences globally. These women, and many more, have all made a difference.

• Susan B. Anthony – Activist / Leader in Women’s Suffrage Movement
  •  One of the founders of the National Woman’s Suffrage Association.
  • Traveled across the country giving many speeches on women’s right to vote. This paved the way for the 19th Amendment, finally giving women the right to vote.
  • Also campaigned for the abolition of slavery, education reform, equal pay for teachers, property rights, and the temperance movement.
• Harriet Tubman – Abolitionist
  • Her birth name was Araminta Ross, or “Minty.” She chose Harriet as her freedom name, after her mother. She also married John Tubman.
  • At 13 years old, she was almost killed after a blow to her head after refusing to help subdue another slave. Despite that, she continued to escape slavery.
  • After escaping, she made 13 dangerous missions to go back and rescue other enslaved people using the network of the Underground Railroad. 
  • Another nickname she was given was “Moses” for being the savior of her people.
  • To learn more about her journey, I recommend watching the movie Harriet. [Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.]
• Malala Yousafazi – Activist
  • Spoke out against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education in Pakistan as a teen, despite the risk.
  • As a result, at only 15 years old in 2019, Malala survived an assassination attempt. She was shot 3 times while on her bus going home from school.
  • Has been the youngest to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Jane Austen – Renowned Author (and one of my favorites!)
  • An English novelist during the 18th century.
  • Her writing explores and addresses themes such as women’s dependence on men for marriage. This was especially influential during her time, as her writings hinted at equality between men and women.
  • Jane Austen’s female characters are portrayed as strong, intelligent, and independent. They all challenged gender and societal norms.

President Jimmy Carter’s Message

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, 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 the women who built America were as vital as those of the men whose names we know so well.

As Dr. Gerda Lerner has noted, “Women’s History is Women’s Right.” – It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.”

I ask my fellow Americans to recognize this heritage with appropriate activities during National Women’s History Week, March 2-8, 1980.

I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality–– Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul. Understanding the true history of our country will help us to comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all our people.

This goal can be achieved by ratifying the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that “Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

Sources // Why March is National Women’s History Month, Women’s History Month