Ways to Take Action During Women’s History Month

What is Women’s History Month?

• March commemorates Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s achievements, to recognize the history of systemic oppression and discrimination against women, and to call attention to the progress made and how to continue to strive for the equality of all human beings. 
• The National Women’s History Alliance has designated this year’s theme as “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." The theme pays tribute to the brave female caregivers and frontline workers of the ongoing pandemic and recognizes the unique ways women have provided healing and hope for the betterment of all.
• Women’s History Month also brings attention to the lack of recognition of various demographics within female communities throughout history. Intersectionality describes how women of color, transgender women, queer women, and low-income women often experience further disadvantages because of these intersecting characteristics and backgrounds. It is crucial to celebrate women’s history with an intersectional approach to be inclusive of all women.

The history behind Women’s History Month 

• Sonoma County’s Education Task Force first initiated a “Women’s History Week” in response to the widespread lack of awareness of women’s history in public education and American society in Sonoma, California in 1978.
• In the following years, “Women’s History Week” spread across the country, and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. State Education Departments quickly began introducing Women’s History Week to their classrooms.
• Six years later, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March. Each year, a Presidential Proclamation is issued to honor the achievements of women.

Women in politics

• The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote in the U.S. However, this right was largely restricted to wealthy white women. Women of color were barred from voting through disenfranchisement tactics and discriminatory laws. 
• Today, women have made historic gains in U.S. elections and appointed offices. Women have turned out to vote at slightly higher rates than men for every U.S. presidential election since 1984. In 2020, more women (particularly women of color and LGBTQ-identifying candidates) ran for office than ever before. Still, as of February 2022, the U.S. ranked 72nd in the world for gender representation in national government. 

How to get involved

There are numerous ways you can celebrate Women’s History Month with your family, your workplace, your classroom, your friends, or by yourself. 

Educational resources

• Educate yourself more on the history of women fighting for equal rights in America.
• Learn about the various organizations protecting the rights of women today and progressing equality worldwide, like the Human Rights Watch, Women for Women International, Association for Women’s Rights in Development, and more.   
• The Library of Congress offers a wide range of educational resources. Check out their designated guide to all of the women’s history resources available in their collections.
• Read through this timeline of milestones for women in American politics.

Support women in politics and government

• Represent Women is the leading organization focused on advocating for women’s representation in government. Check out their website here for more information. She Should Run is also another great community. 
• According to the Pew Research Center, most Americans say a major barrier to female leadership is that women have to do more to prove themselves. Examine and call out any biases you may have or see around you towards women in leadership positions.
• Be a women’s rights advocate in your life and in your political decisions. 

Support the cultural contributions of women.

From picture books to movies to music, making sure your digital and real-world creative diet is gender inclusive is a wonderful way to celebrate Women’s History Month. 

• Check out these lists of books written by female authors, and on women’s history, stories, and achievements: Penguin Random House, Book Authority, and picture books.
• Support a women-owned business.
• Here are a variety of films that portray the accomplishments of women throughout history: 20 Feminist Movies for Women’s History Month, Milwaukee Film’s Women’s History Month celebration, and documentaries of women’s history on History.com. 
• Shine a light on some of the female artists that changed the music industry with their talent and drive.

Virtual and In-Person Events This Month

• Washington, D.C. - The National Women’s History Museum is hosting several events throughout the month including virtual storytimes and conversations with authors, a 5k run, and more.
• New York City - The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting an event “STEMing From Greatness: Women in STEM,” to commemorate female figures in history. 
• Bay Area - In the celebration of International Women’s Day, the Schooner Freda B at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor will be sailing around the San Francisco Bay and highlighting prominent women in Bay Area history. 
• Philadelphia - The Betsy Ross House will be hosting Storytelling Sundays each week in March to honor the contributions of women in history through award-winning storytellers.
• Los Angeles - Join California State University’s “Wonder Women: Celebrating Women in Tech” Zoom event on March 16th to discuss the experiences, journeys, and success stories of women in the tech field. 

How will you be celebrating Women's History Month?

Let us know what you’ll be doing to honor Women's history and accomplishments this February.