How did Women's History Month come to be?
Up until the 1970's, women's history was not taught in schools. In response to this, the Education Task force of Sonoma County, California dedicated a week to honor women's history. The event called for many celebrations and events in honor of the hard work of women. During this week, many of the schools designed lessons plans that focused on women. The National Women's History Project , an organization that "recognizes and celebrates the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing informational services and educational and promotional materials," explains that a member, Molly Murphy MacGregor, attended a meeting at Sarah Lawrence College. At the lecture, many participants learned about the success of the celebrations in Sonoma honoring women. Many decided to implement teachings about the roles of women in history in their own school districts.
Support for a Women's History week spread, and in 1980, "President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring that the week of March 8th 1980 as National Women's History Week." The National Women's History Project asserts that "state departments of education encouraged celebrations of National Women's History Week as an effective means to achieving equity goals within classrooms."
The official website for Women's History Month, womenshistorymonth.gov, declared that in 1981, "Congress requested the President to proclaim the week of March 7, 1982 as Women's History Week." By 1986, 14 states advocated March as Women's History Month. In 1987, Congress issued March as Women's History Month and announced that every president is to recognize March as such. The White House website includes a transcript of President Trump's message proclaiming "March 2018 as Women's History Month."
The official website for Women's History Month is sponsored by various government agencies and educational resources. The website is committed to memorializing all the contributions women have made in society. It offers a large list of exhibits and collections, audio and videos, images, and lesson plan guides for teachers. This organization strives to enrich the community with the vital role women have played throughout history.
What role do women play in history?
Women have played many vital roles throughout history Abigail Adams was married to president John Quincy Adams. She often gave advice to him and was known for letters that called for him to "Remember the Ladies." At this time, women did not have any political power, so her letters were a way to empower women. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was another woman who also invested in granting women rights. She held the first organized women's suffrage organization at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. It took about 70 years for her goal to be fulfilled when women were granted the right to vote in the U.S. in 1920. Women have continued to fight for equal rights throughout all of history.
Susan B. Anthony also aided in the women's suffrage movement. The National Park Service points out that she "traveled the country to give speeches, circulate petitions, and organize local women’s rights organizations." Anthony was born in Massachuesetts and her Quaker family was anti-slavery. In addition, Anthony joined the teacher's union when she learned that female teachers were paid $2.50/month compared to men's pay of $10/month. She was involved in many reforms, and she soon became one of the icons associated with women's suffrage. The Library of Congress explains that she "co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton."
The most iconic demonstration of women's empowerment was portrayed by Rosie the Riveter and the notion of "We Can Do It" during WWII. After the United States declared war on Japan, in response to Pearl Harbor, about ten million young men were enlisted or drafted in the military. The immense number of men that went to war left a gap in the industry for producing weapons and equipment for the military. Women filled this gap and worked to provide for the war effort. The National Park Service states that the "integration of women and minorities into the workforce was initially met with resistance, however, the new opportunities for women and minorities "cracked open" the door to equal rights and would have profound impacts on the Civil Rights Movement and Women's Movement during the following decades." Rosie the Riveter became the anthem that women worked to throughout WWII and it fostered independence and equality for women. The History Channel explains that Rosie "was the star of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for defense industries during World War II, and she became perhaps the most iconic image of working women."
These are only a few examples of women that have contributed to the history of the United States, but many others had a profound effect on the development of women's rights.
For more Information
Women's History Month
"The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, national Park Services, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American History."
The Law Library of Congress
This website celebrates the achievements and struggles of women.
"American women of every race, creed and ethnic background helped found and build Our Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways...As leaders in public affairs, American women not only worked to secure their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity but also were principle advocates in the abolitionist, temperance, mental health reform, industrial labor and social reform movements, as well as the modern Civil Rights Movement."
The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian is holding many events celebrating women, and the website provides a calendar of the events.
National Archives
"The National Archives celebrates Women’s History Month, recognizing the great contributions that women have made to our nation. Learn about the history of women in the United States by exploring their stories through letters, photographs, film, and other primary sources."
America's Navy
The Navy celebrates Women's History Month to recognize the presence of women in the Navy. The Navy declares that women served as nurses for the Navy since the 1800's. Women were officially incorporated into the Navy in 1948 due to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act.
"Women's History Month is a time to reflect on and express gratitude to the trailblazers who demonstrated unparalleled courage, tenacity and vision, sometimes in the face of systematic headwinds, to chart a course for today's women who proudly and honorably serve in the U.S. Navy."
~Emily Hancz
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