WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: PAST & PRESENT CREATION OF MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION, HOW ITS CELEBRATED NOW Women’s History Month has been celebrated every March since 1987. The idea came from women’s voices being historically repressed in society and the intention is “to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security” (History.com). The entire month of March is seen as a time to reflect on the female heroes of our past and present, as well as honoring their legacies and the impacts they have made on the present day. The origins of Women’s History Month stem from a week-long celebration started in 1978 by a school district in Sonoma, California. The district used this week to celebrate women’s contributions to society, culture and history. The celebration consisted of the students attending these schools to participating in a “Real Woman” essay contest, followed by a parade in Santa Rosa. In the following years, the idea of women’s history week stretched throughout surrounding school districts, eventually reaching the national level. In 1980, President
Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation that the week of March 8th (known as International Women’s Day) would be recognized as National Women’s History Week. The National Women’s History Project then petitioned for six years after the proclamation that it should be held over an entire month-long period; the change in celebration was seen by Congress and became an official month-long event for the first time in 1987. Every year, Women’s History Month follows a theme on who to highlight that year. The theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”. The themes are designated by the National Women’s History Alliance and they state that this year’s theme is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.” They further state that “This year, in particular, we are reminded of the importance of healers and caregivers who are helping to promote and sustain hope for the future.” The NWHA encourages communities throughout the country to honor local women who bring and have historically brought these priceless gifts to their families, workplaces and neighborhoods,
women who, as counselors and clerics, artists and teachers, doctors, nurses, mothers and grandmothers listen, ease suffering, restore dignity and make decisions for our general as well as our personal welfare.” Essentially, Women’s History Month is not just to celebrate the famous women of the past, but to also celebrate loved ones of the present. The United Nations has sponsored and strongly advocated for the celebration of women since 1975. When the United Nations General Assembly was asked why, they responded with “to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security” (WomensHistoryMonth.gov). The way the month is celebrated varies depending on the city, state, or even country. Some places celebrate with parades and parties, while other places celebrate by educating the population further and letting the women around know that they appreciate them and gifting them flowers. No matter how its celebrated, make sure to take time to appreciate the women in your day to day life! Story by Bailey Lincoln.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE HERO?
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Nadiah Perez, 12
Gavin Dombrow, 9
Aidan Baugh, 12
My female hero is Selena Perez, a hispanic singer.
My female hero is Mrs. Incredible because she is a very good actress.
My female hero is Natalie Portman because I am a big fan of Star Wars.
THE ORB
All information from www.history.com, www.womenshistorymonth.gov and www.nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org
