Celebrating Women’s History Month

By CHARLENE LOVETT
Women’s History Month originally began as a one week celebration in California.  Using International Women’s Day as the focal point, “Women’s History Week” was first initiated in March of 1978 by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women.  It was done to help incorporate women’s history into the K-12 curriculum and increase public awareness regarding the contributions that women have made in our country’s history.

Enthusiasm for the community activities and special school programs associated with“Women’s History Week” spread from California throughout the country.  Soon, women mobilized to garner support for a “National Women’s History Week.”  In 1980, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week.  The same year, Representative Barbara Mikulski and Senator Orrin Hatch co-sponsored a Congressional Resolution for National Women’s History Week.  

As the popularity of National Women’s History Week grew at the local and state level, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) led the effort to have Congress expand the celebration to a month.  In 1987, Congress declared the month of March as National Women’s History Month.  Every year, a special Presidential Proclamation is issued honoring the extraordinary achievements of American women. 

Each year there is a special theme, and women whose lives exemplify those themes are selected as National Honorees.  This year’s theme is Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.  Next week in Washington D.C., the NWHP will recognize the 15 women have been selected as this year’s honorees.  For more information on the NWHP or this year’s national honorees, please go to nwhp.org.

While these women are being celebrated at the national level, we have the opportunity to recognize the women in our communities who have dedicated their lives to fighting discrimination against women.  Unfortunately, my knowledge of who those women are, historically, is somewhat limited.  When reflecting back on my K-12 education, I do not recall learning about local women in general.  Perhaps, this has changed since I graduated from high school in 1981.  If so, then National History Women’s Month has made an impact since its inception in 1987.

Despite my lack of knowledge regarding local women who fought against discrimination in years past, I am proud to be part of a community in which, today, women are actively engaged in stopping discrimination of all types against women.  The women of Turning Points Network and Teach Loving Connections are just some of the people who come to mind, but there are many more.  To all of you who are engaged in this effort, many thanks.  You continue to pave the way for future generations of women to enjoy the fruits of equality.  

 

Charlene Lovett is the Mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback.  Please email questions, concerns or comments to her at [email protected].