By 1986, 14 states had already declared March as Women’s
History Month. This momentum and state-by-state action was used as the rational
to lobby Congress to declare the entire month of March 1987 as National Women’s
History Month. In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History
Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year
which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.
The theme for 2019 is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace
& Nonviolence.” This year we honor women who have led efforts to end war,
violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society.
These Honorees embraced the fact that the means determine the ends and so
developed nonviolent methods to ensure just and peaceful results.
(The National Women’s History Alliance website)
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month
International Women’s Day
International
Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political and social
achievements of women, took place for the first time on March 8, 1911. Many
countries around the world celebrate the holiday with demonstrations,
educational initiatives and customs such as presenting women with gifts and
flowers. The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day since 1975.
When adopting its resolution on the observance of International Women’s Day,
the United Nations General Assembly cited the following reasons: “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.”
National Archives https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/womens-history
Exhibit Opening in 2019“Rightfully Hers: American
Women and the Vote” commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment by looking
beyond suffrage parades and protests to the often overlooked story behind this
landmark moment in American history. This fuller retelling of the struggle for
women’s voting rights illustrates the dynamic involvement of American women
across the spectrum of race, ethnicity and class to reveal what it really takes
to win the vote for one-half of the people.
