Recognizing Women’s History Month.
Events (E) that are actively being recognized.
Event Overview
Women’s History Month Is a dedicated month to reflect on women’s often-overlooked contributions to United States history.
Event/Activity Details
The actual celebration of Women’s History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history, and society, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participating in a “Real Woman” essay contest. A parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa. A few years later, the idea caught on across communities, school districts, and organizations in the US. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. The US Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.