Powerful, confident, and intelligent are just three of many words to describe women. Women have accomplished numerous achievements throughout their years, such as getting the right to vote, the right to have equal pay, and so much more. Therefore, women have the whole month of March dedicated to them.

     Women’s History Month is a month devoted to celebrating women’s accomplishments throughout history. Women’s History Month is celebrated during March, along with International Women’s Day on March 8. 

     Women’s History Month began as a local commemoration in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of California Commission on the Status of Women planned a “Women’s History Week” on March 8. Eventually, the movement spread across the country as other areas began their own Women’s History Week celebrations the year afterward.

     In 1980, a chain of women’s groups led by the National History Women’s Project successfully campaigned for national recognition. Then in February 1980, President Jimmy Carter presented the 1st Presidential Proclamation stating that the week of March 8 would be known as National Women’s History Week.

     Afterward, the following presidents continued the tradition of National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed the law that declared March as “Women’s History Month”. 

     The National History Women’s Project, otherwise known as the National Women’s History Alliance chooses a yearly theme for the commemoration. The theme for Women’s History Month in 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”.  The National Women’s History Alliance will influence other communities throughout the country to use this year’s theme to lead their own celebration of Women’s History Month.

     Throughout 2023, the National Women’s History Alliance will encourage the acknowledgment of women, past and present, who have been actively involved in all forms of media, such as podcasts, print, and more. Women who have devoted their lives and time to producing art are honored in every community. Successful and influential women share their experiences to keep the community informed and aware.