Celebrate HERstory March is Women’s History Month

By Julie Young

For nearly 250 years, American women have shown time and time again that “we can do it!” Together with our brothers, we have worked to build this nation and make vital contributions to the global community. It is only appropriate that we take the time to recognize those contributions. That’s what Women’s History Month is all about!

The origins of what we now recognize as Women’s History Month are a little complicated and date back to February 28, 1909, with the establishment of “Woman’s Day” by the Socialist Party of America. It became a designated holiday on March 8, 1917, when women in Soviet Russia gained suffrage, but was typically celebrated by fringe movements and those who lived in communist countries. Eventually, it gained traction by feminist groups in the 1960s and became a mainstream celebration by the United Nations who re-named the event “International Woman’s Day”(IWD.)

A year later, a group of women in Santa Rosa, CA, organized a week-long, local celebration in conjunction with IWD, and it wasn’t long before other communities, civic groups, and feminist organizations created their own events to showcase women. As popularity in IWD festivities grew, the National Women’s History Project lobbied for national recognition, and in February 1980, President Jimmy Carter became the first U.S. President to declare that the week of March 8 was National Women’s History Week. Seven years later, congress passed Public Law 100-9, which expanded the idea to the entire month of March. National Women’s History Month was born!

Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance (formerly the National Women’s History Project) decides on a theme for the year. This year, the theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” This theme encourages the recognition of women, both past and present, who have been active in all forms of media, including print, radio, TV, screen, books, blogs, podcasts, and more! (Including the amazing women here at glo!)

“From the earliest storytellers, through pioneering journalists, our experiences have been captured by a wide variety of artists and teachers. These include authors, songwriters, scholars, playwrights, performers, and grandmothers throughout time,” the NWHA website says. “Women have long been instrumental in passing on our heritage, in word and in print, to communicate the lessons of those who came before us. Women’s stories, and the larger human story, expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other.”

Looking to celebrate Women’s History Month locally? Here are a few events to check out!

This year, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will present the 11th Annual Women’s History Month Program on March 11, 2023 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Indiana Tech Andorfer Auditorium at 1600 E. Washington Blvd. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for youth 13 and under. Honorees and guest panelists include Lyndy Bazille, Synvoia Brown, and Porche Williams.

“We Are ” is a photo exhibit of 39 women that is on display at Creative Women of the World throughout the month in honor of IWD. Produced by Fort Wayne photographer (a woman who tells our stories) this exhibit showcases local women’s challenges, passions, achievements and the diversity they bring to Fort Wayne’s community. Creative Women of the World and it’s fair trade store is located at 125 W. Wayne St. a