Written by June Wambua (Social Media Volunteer)
8 March, 2023
International Women’s Day (observed annually on March 8) is a global day to recognize the social, political, and cultural achievements of women. It is also a day to bring attention to issues still affecting women around the world. The United Nations has sponsored this observance since 1975. International Women’s Day has a yearly theme, and the theme for 2023 is "#EmbraceEquity."
March is Women’s History Month, a month to recognize and honor the often overlooked accomplishments of women throughout U.S. history. Women have faced a variety of challenges in the fight for equality, and they continue to make strides in every field. Women’s History Month has been observed in March every year since 1987. In addition to March being Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day is also annually observed on March 8th. From Susan B. Anthony to Harriet Tubman, from Rosa Parks to Marie Curie, the contributions of women stretch all the way back to America’s founding.
Here are some interesting facts about Women’s History Month:
Women’s History Month was first observed in 1909.
Theresa Maikel, an activist and women’s committee member of the Socialist Party, established the first Women’s Day on February 28, 1909. Maikel, along with other Manhattan socialists and suffragists, gathered at a theater in Manhattan for speeches and singing.
The first International Women’s Day was established in Europe one year later.
In March 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin suggested a day that celebrated working women in Europe, at the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. The following year, Europe observed the first International Women’s Day on March 19, 1911.
Expanding to Women’s History Week
In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women created the first "Women's History Week." The celebration included activities such as talks, an essay contest, and a parade in downtown Santa Rosa, CA.
The creation of the National Women’s History Project
In 1980, a group of women in Santa Rosa, California, founded the National Women’s History Project in order to further the work they had started. Activists encouraged communities to hold their own celebrations. One of the group’s goals was to elevate Women’s History Week to the federal level.
Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Women’s History Week
In March 1980, former President Jimmy Carter officially declared that Women’s History Week would be observed during the week of March 8th. Carter cited this in his proclamation: "From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well."
Women’s History Month was officially recognized in 1987.
The celebration remained just a week on the federal level, but by 1986, 14 U.S. states had extended the celebration to a full month. The federal government finally followed suit, and by 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated March as Women’s History Month.
Since 1995, every sitting president has issued a proclamation for Women’s History Month.
In keeping with the tradition established by former President Jimmy Carter after declaring the first national Women’s History Week, every president since 1995 has issued an annual proclamation honoring the role of women in American history. This year, President Biden touched on the current administration's creation of the Gender Policy Council, the signing of legislation that protects pregnant and nursing women in the workplace, and the first Blueprint addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. You can read the full proclamation here.
Every Women’s History Month follows a theme.
The National Women’s History Alliance designates a theme for Women’s History Month. The theme for 2023 is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." This theme recognizes "women who have been active in all forms of media storytelling, including print, radio, television, stage, screen, blogs, broadcasts, and social media."
Remember, you are woman! You are free. You are independent. You are all the things that you desire and strive to be.
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