A month to celebrate the achievements women have made in the United States, Women’s History Month started as a week celebrated locally in Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1978. Per the National Women’s History Museum, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation in 1980 which declared the week of March 8 as Women’s History Week.
The week transitioned into a month in 1987 after Congress passed a law which made March the official month for women’s history. Every president since 1995, including current President Joseph Biden, has announced a proclamation which recognizes March as Women’s History Month.
“It’s incredibly important to spread awareness and learn about the history of women as it speaks so much to why we, as individuals living in the 21st century, can live the way we live today. It’s vital to understand the treachery and prejudices that powerful women had to fight in the past in order to build a solid foundation for us: the women of tomorrow,” co-President of GirlUp senior Alisha Patel said. “This month is truly about learning from the hundreds of powerful women from around the world and using their strength and perseverance in fighting our own fights for equality.”
This month allows people, specifically young girls, to learn and gain inspiration from the contributions women have made to this country throughout history, especially those contributions that have gone unrecognized to this day.
To celebrate Women’s History Month at home, people can:
Read about influential women from history.
Educate themselves about current women’s issues.
Support businesses owned by women.
Read books written by female authors.
Watch movies directed by women or about women’s rights.
Attend virtual events that celebrate this month.
“Our club is planning on having a presentation in our next meeting regarding some of the most notable women in America’s fight for gender equality, including Alice Paul and Eleanore Roosevelt,” Patel said. “We also have a really cool fundraiser in the making which will hopefully take place towards the end of the month so stay tuned for that.”
