March 1, 2025 marked the start of Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month officially began being celebrated in the 1980s, and today it is celebrated by women all over the world. But, many people aren’t aware of the history behind it. So, to kick off this month dedicated to women, I decided to take a closer look at how this month-long celebration came to be!
It all began at the peak of the women’s suffrage movement in America. Women were fighting for equal pay, better working conditions, the right to vote and hold public office, and other rights and liberties that were only guaranteed to men. They boycotted businesses and protested in the streets, drawing the attention of women around the world. Although there is a debate on the exact day, most believe that the first celebrations of Women’s Day were either held in 1909 or 1911. American Socialist parties, European feminists, and working class women made up the initial group of women that pushed for the acknowledgment of the holiday.
Eventually, the idea of an international holiday celebrating women was proposed in Copenhagen, Denmark during the International Conference of Working Women. It was declared a holiday in 1910 and is still celebrated today annually on March 8th.
During the 1970s, many women’s groups felt the need for the federal government to nationally acknowledge and celebrate women’s history and their contributions to society. Major parades and protests began to take place in California, and eventually President Jimmy Carter signed into law legislation that proclaimed the week of March 8th as Women’s History Week. But, it didn’t just stop there. Momentum for an official month dedicated to celebrating women continued, and in 1987 congress officially declared the month of March as Women’s History Month.
Celebrating Women’s History Month is important because it gives people the chance to recognize the countless contributions and achievements women have made throughout history. It encourages more people to learn about and appreciate the trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations of women. Thanks to their hard work, women today get to celebrate our own strengths and the women who inspire us each day.
