March Is Women’s History Month

(Feature Image: From the [U.S.] National Archives catalog; National Archives Identifier: 593556)

According to Wikipedia, Women’s History Month is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia; and in Canada during October.

Origin

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

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Study Notes

A Reading List for Women’s History Month 2023

Teacher’s Guide: Women’s History in the United States

National Archives: Women’s History Month

National Park Service: Women’s History Month

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

Women’s History Month 2023

Women’s History Month

From the National Women’s History Museum.

© 2023 by Mary Daniels Brown