Women’s History Month has roots in America’s Women’s Suffrage Movement and serves as a time to honor women’s accomplishments and consider the history of women’s rights.
The 19th century saw a rise in the movement, defined by powerful support for the right to vote. On March 8, 1857, a group of women from textile factories in New York City went on strike in a historic moment due to poor working conditions.
The event set the groundwork for Women’s History Month and was a major start to the women’s rights movement.
Women’s History Week was first observed in March 1978 in downtown Santa Rosa, California, with a bright parade. This small local event quickly grew into a national movement as supporters pushed for official recognition.
The first presidential announcement declaring the second week of March to be National Women’s History Week was made by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. As the movement achieved popularity, Congress officially recognized March to be National Women’s History Month in 1987, resulting in an important month in history.
Reflecting on the struggles and achievements of women throughout history, it’s a month to honor the resilience and courage of those who fought for the rights we benefit from today.
Women made 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2020, according to Pew Research Center, showing how there are still challenges with women receiving equal salaries.
Women’s History Month is an occasion for many of us to look at the accomplishments of our ancestors.
Let me share the stories of two women I know, who faced similar challenges in their lives.
My grandmother comes to mind, whose life story represents the struggles and victories faced by women over time.
She was born in 1946 and married at fifteen, typical of a period when early marriages were encouraged by societal and cultural norms. Women like my grandmother were under social pressure to fit into traditional roles and people didn’t like divorce.
Regardless of these difficulties, my grandmother made an effort to leave an unhappy marriage, a challenging task in an era when divorce was frowned upon. She struggled to manage chores and social expectations as the wife of an officer.
Many resilient women’s experiences resemble the experiences of my grandmother.
I also think of a single mother I know who manages a demanding job and her children with great responsibility. Even after getting married again, she continues to take on household duties without any help from her husband.
This is because some people, including those in her surroundings, have a negative view of divorced women, especially those who have been divorced twice. She feels forced to maintain her unhappy marriage to keep a positive image of herself, showing the enduring gender norms that continue to exist today.
These stories give a reminder that despite the improvements since the early 1900s, difficulties still exist. Even though it’s less obvious, sexism still exists in our culture.
Women continue to fight for equality in every part of life, from the workplace to the home.
Let’s honor the efforts of those who built the way for our rights as we celebrate Women’s History Month.
Now is the moment to honor women’s resilience and strength from the past and present and to keep pushing for greater equity in the future.
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