In history, we view awareness months as chances to increase our familiarity with and focus on the past and present-day struggles of historically marginalized communities. 

How Women’s History Month started

Did you know, women’s history month started as women’s history week?

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the majority of women started to campaign for women’s right particularly the right to vote. People in the United States celebrate the achievement and history of women every March. In March 1978, educators in Santa Rosa, California was the first to celebrate women’s history as a means of getting much attention on the achievement and contribution of women in society. The commission came up with a history week which started on the 8th of March 1978. Other countries like Canada and Australia joined in honoring women after the 1978 celebration made a big wave.  

Themes For Previous Women’s History Month 

Each year the national women’s history alliance has a specific theme for history month. Previous themes included. “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet” (2009), Celebrating Women in Stem (2013), and “Valiant Women of The Vote” is the theme for 2020 and 2021. The women’s history month and the theme for 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”. 

Why Do We Celebrate Women’s History Month 

Today, we reflect on the contributions of women in U.S. history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, A chronology of significant moments in women’s history dates back to the beginning of American history. 

The office of multicultural programs hosts events each year that represent the history of women over the centuries. Each school year in March, we celebrate women’s herstory month however, we don’t stop there. We include women focused events beyond throughout the school year beyond the month of March. This helps to continue the conversations and celebration of women everyday/month, not just during women’ s herstory month.

Upcoming events: