Feature
National Women's History Month
"'...we can draw pride, comfort,
courage, and long
range vision'
from these women of history."
16 • Benicia Magazine
n
Patty Gavin
Observed in the United States in the month of March since 1987, National Women's History Month grew out of a 1978 weeklong celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society. It happened in Sonoma County, California, as the local school district organized presentations, a "Real Woman" essay contest, and a parade in downtown Santa Rosa. The idea caught on and in 1980, President Carter issued a presidential proclamation
declaring the week of March 8 as Women's History Week. A resolution by the U.S. Congress establishing a national celebration followed. Then, in 1987 the National Women's History Project (recently renamed the National Women's History Alliance, or NWHA) asked Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March, and they were successful. The idea behind this month long celebration is to reflect on the often overlooked contributions of women to
