Women’s History Month
For today’s generation, it may seem strange to realize that women’s history was not a part of the public school system’s curriculum until 1987. In fact, it took many years of persistent lobbying before the inception of National Women’s History Month. Those who recognized the importance of acknowledging women who were significant figureheads worked diligently to see that the country paid them their due respect through educational programs and events. Their efforts produced what is commonplace knowledge for today’s generation.
Women’s History Week
The first major step in the right direction happened in a California community due to the efforts of the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women. In 1978, they set aside a week for spreading student awareness, and deemed the week of March 8th the appropriate time for the celebration – March 8th was already International Women’s Day. Special programs were planned in dozens of schools and hundreds of local women stepped forward to deliver presentations to eager students. A “Real Women” Essay Contest was implemented and there were hundreds of entries. Celebrations wrapped up with a parade in downtown Santa Rosa.
Lobbying for National Recognition
Women’s History Week was such an overwhelming success that the attention it received inspired other states to start similar celebrations. Word of the events even spread to the Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College where national leaders of various women’s and girl’s organizations decided to follow suit in their own communities, and to pursue lobbying efforts for national recognition.
In 1980, success was achieved when President Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation and the week of March 8th was named National Women’s History Week; celebrations ensued in many schools and towns throughout the country. By 1986, 14 states were honoring historical women from the U.S. with a whole month devoted to spreading awareness. This lead to lobbying Congress for National recognition, and with the help of the National Women’s History Project, they were victorious. Every March since 1987, during National Women’s History Month, special homage is paid to the impact and achievements that strong and powerful women have made in this country. There is a Presidential Proclamation delivered every year, highlighting the important influence so many women have had in shaping modern society and culture.