• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

The Student Aspect

The online student magazine

  • Home
  • About
  • Student
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Day In The Life
  • Guest Writer Week
  • Dear Aspect
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Case Studies
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Poems
  • Contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search
You are here: Home / Events / Women’s History Month: What is it and why should you care?

Women’s History Month: What is it and why should you care?

Emily Hall

In the Western world, women have held the right to vote since the late 1920s. Even then, those rights were only distributed to white women; women of colour were not granted the right to vote until the late 1960s. The movement, formally known as the Suffragette Movement, began in the late 19th and very early 20th century. The Suffragette Movement fought for women to gain the lawful right to be recognised as equal, and therefore hold the ability to vote.

Prior to this movement, a woman’s ability to live her life legally without the aid of a man was incredibly slim and dehumanizing. After gaining the right to vote in the first wave of feminism, women continued to push for equality. Throughout the second wave, women argued for greater recognition of their contributions to society. Despite the lawful recognition of women occurring only within the last one hundred years, women have been contributing to the narrative of history since the beginning of time.

Women’s History Month, a globally recognised event, celebrates the contributions of women to historical events and contemporary society. The recognised month-long celebration originated in Santa Rosa, California. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission planned and executed an event called ‘Women’s History Week’[1]. Only a year prior did the UN recognize International Women’s Day (8th March) for the first time.

In 1980, the National Women’s History Project successfully lobbied for national recognition, after the event in Santa Rosa had gained traction in previous years. President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation of Women’s History Week in February of that year for the succeeding month to coincide with International Women’s Day. The following year, in 1981, the United States Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which, “authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning 8 March 1982 as ‘Women’s History Week’”[2]. By 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which, “designated the month of March 1987 as ‘Women’s History Month’”[3]. Since 1995, the President of the United States has issued proclamations annually designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month”, recognising and celebrating the contributions and achievements of women throughout American history. Other countries have been slower to adopt this annual celebration, however, the speed and intensity are increasing. 

Each year, the National Women’s History Project declares a theme, all of which can be noted here along with the presidential proclamations. The National Women’s History Project and International Women’s Day committees spearhead the celebrations and themes. Each country that recognises Women’s History Month typically celebrates and teaches about the women that are specific to their own history. This years’ theme is a continuation from 2020, “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced”. For educational purposes, having a theme is important as it allows for the creation of exhibits and specific topics regarding women’s history to be explored in depth.

For example, museums such as the Royal Museums Greenwich in London, England, are celebrating Women’s History Month with a digital collection highlighting some of the important roles women played in British history. The BBC have also put together a collection of digital teaching resources this year for youth to learn about the significance of women in British history, and the overall importance of Women’s History Month. Lastly, History.com has created an excellent collection examining the importance of celebration, some key players, and an extensive photo gallery of women who have historical significance.

For more information on International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, the Suffragette Movement, please visit:

International Women’s Day

National Women’s History Museum

United Nations: International Women’s Day


[1] National Women’s History Museum, “Women’s History Month”, https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month.

[2] The Library of Congress, “Women’s History Month”, https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/.

[3] The Library of Congress, “Women’s History Month”, https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Related

Send us your suggestions for a post!

© 2022 | All rights reserved | Content must not be used without express permission | Sheffield Hallam University | Log in

This website uses cookies to record anonymous information about your browsing experience OK More >
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT