Today is observed as International Women’s Day (IWD) – a part of the month-long celebration of recognizing women around the world for Women’s History Month. During this month, special focus is placed on highlighting and celebrating women who have fought, and even died, in the name of equality, liberty, and advancing the welfare of women.
It is important to remember that not too long ago women did not have the right to vote – a core tenet of liberty that many take for granted.
It is tempting to cite the female titans of industries, world leaders, and celebrities as examples of how far people we’ve come, but they should never be viewed as symbols that we have obtained equality, as there’s still further to go in the balance of power between men and women. The politicians that should be protecting women have found themselves tangled up in undermining women’s autonomy, and rigidly defining what makes a woman.
Women’s History Month is a reminder and renewal of that mission towards equality and justice. This year, in President Biden’s address, he stated, “Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed, but the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
The President went on to highlight women of color in particular, for being on the frontlines and risking the most as abolitionists, civil rights leaders, suffragists, and labor activists.
Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in the school district of Sonoma California in 1978. It served a similar purpose as it does now – celebrating women’s contribution to culture, history, and society. Multiple schools partook in presentations and essay competitions; hundreds of students participated and there was the occasional parade. The idea spread to other districts and even other countries.
By 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring March 2 – 8 as Women’s History Week. Carter used the opportunity to call for the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment, which declared, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Seven years later, Congress officially declared the entirety of March, Women’s History Month.
Like Black History Month, Women’s History Month is a month for remembering and honoring the women who make and have made, the sacrifices that we have built upon today. But it should also spur us to do so year-round.
