Women’s History Month

Written by: Amber Baldwin

Women’s History Month is all about celebrating and honoring women’s contributions to American history.  It started out as Women’s History Week and was first celebrated the week of March 8 in 1980.  That week was chosen because International Women’s Day is March 8.  By 1986 fourteen states had decided to have March be Women’s History Month and in 1987 Congress had finally decided to officially make the entire month of March Women’s History Month. 

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 that she did not know. 

There are many different ways DC students and others 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 women they appreciate or admire. Volunteering for a nonprofit organization that supports women and girls is also a great way to celebrate the 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 the same as last year’s theme because a lot of plans for last year’s Women’s History Month were canceled because of COVID-19.  Since last year was the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment the theme “Valiant Women to the Vote:  Refusing to Be Silenced”  will honor the women who fought for women’s rights to vote. 

The United States is not the only country that celebrates Women’s History Month.  The UK and Australia also celebrate it in March and in October, Canada celebrates it. 

Find more information about Women’s History Month here https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month