Women’s History Month

Can you think of a woman that has made you feel inspired? Is it your mother, your sister, your aunt, or maybe your teacher?

Origin of Women’s History Month

Prior to 1978, celebrating women for their resilience, courageousness, and accomplishments was not yet recognized as an annual celebration. In fact, Women’s History Month originally began as Women’s History Week in Santa Rosa, California. The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), formerly known as the National Women’s History Project, put on a week‑long celebration during the week of March 8, 1978, which corresponded with International Women’s Day. The movement behind Women’s History Week began to spread throughout other states across the country, and awareness was finally being brought to the significant contributions made by American women.

In February of 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced the first-ever presidential proclamation that declared the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. Fast forward seven years later, Public Law 100-9 was passed by Congress, which defined the month of March as Women’s History Month. Every U.S. president that has been in office since 1995 has issued an annual proclamation for the celebration of women’s history.

Notable Women in History

Women’s History Month is a time to acknowledge and show appreciation to all of the influential women who have made and who continue to make a positive impact on the country that we live in today. The celebration highlights the lives and influences of American women that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The theme of Women’s History Month 2023, which is chosen annually by the NWHA, is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

You may recognize some of the following names: Maya Angelou, famous memoirist, poet, civil rights activist, and author; Toni Morrison, novelist and first black female editor in fiction at Random House in New York City; Jovita Idár, journalist, teacher, political activist, and civil rights worker, who encouraged women to pursue education; and Gloria Steinem, journalist, social-political activist, and nationally recognized leader of second‑wave feminism. Despite the systemic barriers to full and equal participation in the American economy and society, these women stood firm in their values, skills, and beliefs and made history, all while inspiring so many in the process.

How To Get Involved

If you are wondering how you can get involved in Women’s History Month 2023, there are several ways to show your support to American women in history who continue to be role models to our current generation and to many more generations to come. Exploring and researching the history of women’s rights, posting on social media to help spread awareness of women’s history, and supporting a women’s nonprofit organization are all great ways to show your support. Attending local Women’s History Month events in your community, writing a personal “thank you” note to an inspirational woman in your life, or even writing a note of self‑praise to yourself are a few other ways that one can be active in the movement.

Amber Folkner,

Beautiful Broken Vessels Content Manager