Women’s History Month
By Pooja P. and Sita V. on behalf of the JEDI Committee
April 22, 2022
Every March, the number of internet searches for the term “International Men’s Day” is at its highest, according to Google Trends. Higher than on the actual date, which is all the way in November. Why? March is National Women’s History Month, created to celebrate the contributions of women throughout history. As history has proved time and time again, women didn’t get nearly as much credit as they deserved. Even today, as these search trends show, not everyone likes the idea of a designated time for just women to celebrate their accomplishments.
For much of history, women have not had equal rights. In 1893, New Zealand was the first country to give them the right to vote, but women had been fighting for rights for long before. In the United States, the national suffrage movement started in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. The movement provided the foundation for Women’s History Month, which was officially recognized in 1987. It initially began as “Women’s Day,” referencing a historical meeting on February 28th, 1909 with suffragettes and socialists. In the 70s and 80s, Women’s History Day began to gain significance within the government. Eventually, Jimmy Carter officiated the day into a federal holiday.
March was designated as a time to honor women and how impactful their efforts are in the lives of people everywhere. It’s also a time to reflect on how many issues women are still facing today in terms of inequity. Anyone can participate in celebrating women this month. Educating yourself about women throughout history is a good way to start. Supporting local organizations is another way to recognize women’s efforts, by donating or purchasing from companies of all kinds that treat women equitably. Attached are some helpful resources about influential figures and Women’s History Month.
