March: Women’s History Month
Monday, March 2nd, 2009The merry month of March marks (how’s that for alliteration?) Women’s History Month. In 1981, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women’s History Week. The week was chosen to coincide with International Women’s Day, March 8. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress passes a resolution for Women’s History Month in March, and the President issues a proclamation.
Before the 1970’s, the topic of women’s history was largely missing from general public consciousness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978 and chose the week of March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day.
The celebration was met with positive response, and schools began to host their own Women’s History Week programs. The next year, leaders from the California group shared their project at a Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Other participants not only became determined to begin their own local Women’s History Week projects but also agreed to support an effort to have Congress declare a national Women’s History Week.
In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) cosponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a “Women’s History Week.”
In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women’s History Month Resolution has been approved every year with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
Click here for information from the National Women’s History Project.
Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet
In 2009, the National Women’s History Project honors women who have taken the lead in the environmental or “green” movement. Rachel Carson, the founder of the contemporary environmental movement, serves as the iconic model of the theme, which recognizes scientists, engineers, business leaders, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious or workplace leaders, or others whose lives show exceptional vision and leadership to save the planet.
I bring this up only because the very best way I know of to celebrate special women in your life is to design and order them a YouGoGirl Poster from our humble website. With luminaries such as author Gloria Steinem, astronaut Sally Ride, pilot Harriet Quimby (on the Anglo poster), how about putting your mom on one of these great posters?
Or with tennis pro Rosie Casals, labor activist Delores Huerta, singer/songwriter Joan Baez on the Hispanic poster, your favorite niece might be a good candidate for this outstanding gift.
Entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, writer Maya Angelou, and Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders grace the African American poster and would be a rocking tribute to your best friend.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we will gladly extend a 20% discount on any YouGoGirl Poster. Use the code “WHMBlog20″ to get your discount today!