Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month grew from Women’s History Week from 1978. The recognition originated in Santa Rosa, California in correlation with International Women’s Day, March 8th. Former President Jimmy Carter issued the week of March 8th in 1980 to be National Women’s History Week, but in 1987 Congress had expanded it to be a full month. 

This month is dedicated to recognizing the important women and women who led movements in history that have often been overlooked in the past. Women in art, politics, science, math, all sorts of fields are taken into recognition this month to celebrate their accomplishments that have helped our society. Recognizing these women provides role models for younger girls to appreciate what certain women have accomplished for women. For 2026 specifically, the yearly theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations”.   

One huge influential moment in history for women is the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. This was the first women's rights convention in the United States and it started the women’s suffrage movement. A lot of women and some men gathered together to discuss and fight for women's rights, especially the right to vote. While at the time they received a lot of backlash and received decades long struggles, they were finally able to achieve their goals with the 19th Amendment. This amendment was created in 1920 and it gave women the right to vote in the United States. The people who were a part of this convention set the stage for future movements and inspired others to fight for equality. 

There have also been many influential women throughout history that have shaped different parts of society. There is science, politics, advocates, leaders, all sorts of fields women have shaped and been a part of. Some notable figures are Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, Harriet Tubman, Mary Wollstonecraft, Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Malala Yousafzai, and so many more influential women in history. These women as well as many more have created the pathway and advocated for girls to have equal rights for centuries. 

It is important to celebrate this month in honor of women because it brings appreciation to women who have fought and were often overlooked. March can remind us of the necessity of gender equality and the major role women have played in history. Overall, all of these significant events have led to the month of March being an influential moment in modern day time for women. In honor of this month, we should take the time during this month to show appreciation to the important women in your life and to recognize the other women who have fought for us to be where we are now.

Image Courtesy of Washington State Dept of Transportation on Flickr.