Empowering the Past, Inspiring the Future

As we celebrate Women's History Month every March, we honor the past achievements of women and their continued impact. But how did this month-long celebration come to be? How did it help shape our understanding of women's contributions to history? Learning about the history and significance of Women's History Month helps us better understand its importance in empowering the past and inspiring the future.

How It Started

Women’s History Month first started as “Women’s History Week” in 1978 in Sonoma County, California. The local Education Task Force planned the event to highlight women’s contributions in history, which were often left out of school textbooks. They chose the week of March 8th to coincide with International Women’s Day, a holiday that had been celebrated globally for decades already.

By 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first official proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. He said women’s contributions had been ignored and it was time to change that.

By 1986, fourteen states had extended the week into a full month. A year later, Congress passed a law designating March as Women’s History Month. Every U.S. President since has issued an annual proclamation recognizing the month and encouraging people to celebrate and learn more about women’s impact.

The National Women's History Alliance

Women’s History Month is what it is today is thanks to the National Women's History Alliance (NWHA), originally called the National Women’s History Project. Founded in 1980, this group has worked tirelessly to make sure women’s history is included in education and public awareness.

One of their important contributions or Women's History Month is providing a new theme every year. These themes focus on different aspects of women’s achievements and struggles. This helps schools, organizations, and communities to shape their celebrations around a central idea.

Annual Themes: Shining a Light on Women’s Stories

Each year, the theme provided by NWHA highlights a different part of women’s history. The theme for 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” It’s about the women who have dedicated their lives to teaching, mentoring and leading others so future generations can grow and learn.

Recent Themes:

• 2024: “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion”
• 2023: “Women Who Tell Our Stories”
• 2022: “Women Who Provide Healing, Promote Hope”

These themes remind us that women’s contributions come in many forms, from storytelling and activism, to science and women in healthcare.

Why Women's History Month Matters

Women’s History Month isn’t just about looking back, it’s about making sure the contributions of women throughout history don’t get forgotten. For a long time, history books left out the roles women had in shaping the modern world, making it appear that men did all the heavy lifting. Celebrating Women’s History Month helps correct that by amplifying women’s stories and putting them front and center.

This month is also a source of inspiration. Seeing what women have faced and overcome, helps encourage others to keep moving forward when things get tough. It’s especially important for young girls to see examples of strong, successful women who have paved the way.

A Global Celebration

While Women’s History Month is mostly recognized in the United States, other countries have their own way of honoring women. Canada celebrates Women’s History Month in October, which ties into a major legal victory in 1929 that recognized women as “persons” under the law. And of course International Women’s Day on March 8th is recognized around the world as a day to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for gender equality.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Women’s History Month is a reminder of how far we’ve come, while also noticing the work that can still be done. It’s not just about the past, it’s about the future. Whether through school lessons, community events or personal reflection, celebrating women’s history helps keep their stories alive and inspires the next generation to keep breaking barriers.

In March, take time to learn about the women who shaped history, support those making history today, and encourage the girls who will shape the future. Women’s history is everyone’s history. How will you celebrate Women’s History Month this year?