March is Women’s History month! This annual celebration acknowledges the accomplishments of women in the American story. While it was officially recognized with Public Law 100-9 in 1987, it began as a week-long event created by the National Women History Project, now known as National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA).
During this heritage month, we give thanks to the women who have made their impact on America, such as Marsha P. Johnson, celebrated gay liberation activist, and leader of LGBTQ+ rights movement. Hundreds of women have made their mark on the American Story, such as Sally Ride, the renowned gay astronaut and physicist, as well as prominent disability activist Judy Heumann, who served as the World Bank’s first advisor for Disability and Development.
Women as everyday heroes
While honoring women who were trailblazers is significant, this month also applauds everyday heroes. Each year the NWHA picks a theme that represents an important aspect of women’s role in the American ethos. This year, the focus is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” The theme pays tribute to caregivers and frontline workers during the pandemic and in prior history. This is especially fitting given that women make up 78 percent of the US healthcare workforce.
About the Author
Riley Powers
Interest Areas
- Scientific and Technical Communication, third year
- Accessibility
- Studying the connections of public transit infrastructure and accessible and inclusive design
- Making mixed media accessible for the largest audience possible
Why celebrate?
While women make up about half of the population, they have been disenfranchised and undervalued within Eurocentric histories, still facing levels of inequality today. However, no conversation about equality is complete without a discussion of intersectionality.
While many women won the right to vote in 1920, Black and Indigenous women were denied suffrage until much later, in 1965 and 1962, respectively. Even to this day there are lasting systemic issues that impact daily life, and it’s important we continue to raise awareness.
This month helps us celebrate the advances in rights and equality, but it also serves as a reflection of what we can do next. For instance, while the pay gap is narrowing, employers continue to underpay women of color compared to other groups. And, while we have made considerable progress, we must continue working to secure equality for all.
Interested in learning more about Women’s History Month? Be sure to check out our recommended reading list and follow the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for additional information and events. This month, take time to learn and engage in these important dialogues and conversations.
Recommended Reading
- Michigan Tech’s ADVANCE Newsblog
- Background on Women’s History Month, National Women’s History Museum
- About Women’s History Month, The Library of Congress
- 30 Important Women in History You May Not Have Heard of, The Archive.org
- 50 Black Women in STEM You Should Know About, Natasha Matta via Medium