Women are powerful. Women are inspiring. And honestly, it seems like women are the glue that holds the world together. Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, including the contributions that women have made to society to the impact we’re making on the world around us. Let’s look at how the tradition started, some women of note, and the theme for 2024.
Looking Back at History
Women weren’t always celebrated for the full month of March; in fact, it first began as a single day. According to the International Women’s Day website, it all started in 1908 in New York City. That’s when thousands of women got together and marched through the streets, fighting for women’s rights, including the right to vote. This led to the first official National Women’s Day being celebrated on February 28, 1909.
In 1978, Women’s History Week was started in a school district in Sonoma, California. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter took that concept and turned it into a national week-long holiday, which took place the week of March 8. Finally, in 1987, Women’s History Month officially started, according to History.com.
Celebrating Women
Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance sets a theme for Women’s History Month. This year, it’s “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” According to their website, the theme “recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.” That seems especially meaningful to those of us at Prime Women who work to recognize amazing women from all walks of life, including achievements in business, art, politics, and everything in between.
We recently published an article about some prominent Black women poets for Black History Month. Check it out to learn more about women like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, who will undoubtedly go down as some of the greatest in the annals of time. We’ve also covered women who lived their lives in the political eye, like Rosalynn Carter, actresses who are blazing trails, and women who are out of this world.
It’s not just in poetry, space travel, and on-screen that we’ve seen the rise of women. We’ve got four female Supreme Court justices, and the 118th Congress has a record number of women, with 150 currently serving. While that only accounts for 28% of all seats, it’s a vast improvement over the numbers from just a decade ago. 126 women are serving in the current House of Representatives, accounting for 29% of the chamber’s total, and there are 25 women in the Senate – accounting for a quarter of the seats. While it’s still far below the share of women in the US population, it’s a move in the right direction.
How You Can Celebrate
Women’s History Month, and more specifically, International Women’s Day, is a global celebration of women’s achievements, progress, and contributions to society. There are numerous ways for women to celebrate this empowering time:
- Empowerment Events: Attend or organize events that promote women’s empowerment, such as workshops, seminars, or panel discussions on gender equality, leadership, and women’s rights.
- Support Women-Owned Businesses: Show support for women entrepreneurs and businesses by shopping at female-owned stores, dining at women-led restaurants, or purchasing products from women artisans and creators.
- Advocacy and Activism: Get involved in advocacy efforts and activism to advance women’s rights and gender equality, whether through volunteering, fundraising, or participating in rallies and protests.
- Community Engagement: Engage with your local community by volunteering for women-focused organizations, mentoring young women and girls, or joining women’s support groups and networks.
- Educational Activities: Educate yourself and others about women’s history, achievements, and ongoing struggles by reading books, watching documentaries, or attending educational events.
- Self-Care and Reflection: On International Women’s Day, take time for self-care and reflection, whether through meditation, journaling, or engaging in activities that promote mental and emotional well-being.
- Celebrate Women: Celebrate the women in your life by expressing gratitude, offering words of encouragement, and recognizing their accomplishments and contributions.
Overall, International Women’s Day is an opportunity for women to come together, celebrate their achievements, and continue working towards gender equality and empowerment for all. And most importantly, take a moment to recognize what a powerful woman you are and appreciate yourself a bit more.
Happy Women’s History Month!
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