The Dubs welcome the arrival of National Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the remarkable achievements and enduring legacies of women who have shaped history and continue to inspire future generations. What started as a week in March dedicated to the celebration of women has blossomed into the entire month of March, known as Women’s History Month. With humble beginnings, it quickly developed into festivity on a much larger scale. Today, it has evolved to a month of recognition and celebration. For women all around the world, March recognizes their achievements and contributions to the past and present.
Women’s History Month is a presidentially proclaimed celebration, beginning with former President Jimmy Carter’s presidency. According to the National Women’s History Museum, the origins of this month trace back to 1978 in The Golden State: Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission orchestrated a week aligned with International Women’s Day, and the intentions were to honor the accomplishments of women in American History. National Women’s History Week was nationally recognized as a result of the lobbying done by the Nation Women’s History Alliance in 1980. Following Carter’s presidency, his successors continued the tradition. In 1987, however, this week was extended into a nationally recognized, month-long celebration.
Each year has a theme, and the theme for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Women’s History Alliance defines this as a theme that “recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.” This theme emphasizes the important work being done by women that recognize the younger generation’s power to create a positive future and create equitable opportunities available to the masses. For those interested, the National Women’s History Alliance’s website includes links on how to further learn about this topic, or how to learn more about women’s history in general.
While America is the only country in the world to celebrate Women’s History Month, countries around the world celebrate women on International Women’s Day. The colors purple, green, and white are used to celebrate it. According to Time, the colors originated from suffragists in the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the U.K. in the early 1900s. Some countries even recognize International Women’s Day as an official holiday, giving female workers the day off.
As National Women’s History Month comes to a close, it’s important to highlight the incredible impact women have had throughout history. This month is a time to recognize the achievements and contributions of women in shaping our world. From activists and leaders to scientists and artists, women have played crucial roles in every aspect of society. National Women’s History Month reminds us to celebrate these achievements and to continue working towards equality for all genders.
National Women’s History Museum Reference: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month#:~:text=Did%20You%20Know%3F,History%20Week%E2%80%9D%20celebration%20in%201978.
National Women’s History Alliance Reference: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2024-whm-theme/
Time Reference: https://time.com/6837254/womens-history-month-surprising-facts/
