Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is all about celebrating and honoring women’s contributions in

American history. It started out as Women’s History Week and the first time it was celebrated

was the week of March 8 in 1980. That week was chosen because International Women’s Day is

March 8. By 1986 fourteen states had already made March Women’s History Month and by

1987 Congress had finally decided to make the entire month of March Women’s History Month.

Every year The National Women’s
 History Alliance, a nonprofit educational
 organization founded in 1980, decides on a
 theme for Women’s History Month. This year’s
 theme is “Valiant Women to the Vote.” Since
 this year is the 100 th anniversary of the 19 th
 Amendment they decided on a theme that will honor the women who fought for women’s rights
 to vote.

On being asked if they knew March was Women’s History Month Jennifer Kaffenbarger,
 a student at DC, said, “yes, but I think it needs to be talked about more.” Maricella Najar,
 another student here at DC, said she didn’t know.

The United States is not the only country that celebrates Women’s History Month.  The UK and Australia also celebrate it in March and Canada celebrates it in October.  There are many different ways all people can celebrate Women’s History Month. They can learn more about the history of women’s rights and the problems women still deal with today.  People can also write thank you notes to a woman they look to or volunteer for a nonprofit organization that supports women and girls.