Women’s History Month aims to celebrate the contributions of women throughout history – expanding to a variety of cultures and societies. Women’s History Month is celebrated every year in the month of March since 1987 in the United States and, this year, we are all set to do the same!

What is the importance of Women’s History Month?

Many people, especially cis men, are curious to know why we celebrate Women’s History Month every year; it’s no different than them questioning on 8^th March every year why there’s no “Men’s Day”. For once and all, we want to clarify that the month is dedicated to reflect on the contributions made by women who’ve been disregarded and neglected in the past. Hence, this is when the world comes together to shed light on the work of Abigail Adams, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, and Susan B. Anthony and many more accomplished ladies.

In the beginning, it was supposed to be a weeklong celebration when different cultures and societies organized to celebrate the contribution of women in history. Presentations and essay contests would be held along with a parade in downtown Santa Rosa.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter warranted the first presidential proclamation and declared the week of March 8 to be the National Women’s History Week. The next year, the US Congress followed suit and passed a resolution, establishing it as a national celebration.  Six years later, the petition came across and Congress expanded the event to the entire month of March.

What can we do to celebrate Women’s History Month?

What’s new this year, and what is a tradition? These are some of the questions that keep rising whenever we discuss the importance of this month. Following are some ideas that you can apply to celebrate the significant month.

• You can interview women from your industry and invite them to your podcast or share a blogpost about it.
• You can also share graphics of the women who inspire you. God knows the gravitas their words hold.
• You can also get crafty and share a get-to-know post for women in your company and ask others to support their cause and ambition!
• You may also share articles written by women for women – something that’s relevant to your audience!
• You can also get involved and actively support organizations that support women and girls from around the word. Women’s History Month is a chance to extend support to women across the globe and broaden philanthropic opportunities and work. You can reach out to organizations like Girls Who Code, Kiva, The Malala Fund, The Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Invisible Girl Project, Girls Not Brides USA, Global Fund for Women, and Girls Write Now!
• In March 2021, you may also host guest speakers and give them a platform to share their thoughts and ideas. You can either do individual interviews or bring on a panel of women working in your industry.
• Another way to celebrate this month is by starting a book club. You can consider creating a list of books that put emphasis on female authors. Furthermore, send out a survey and ask for book suggestions and allow them the opportunity to participate. Some of the books that you can read this month are: Lean Out by Dawn Foster, We Should All Be Feminists by ChimamandaNgoziAdichie, Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit, Feminism Is For Everybody by bell hooks and Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution by Susan Stryker.
• What we all need to keep in consideration is the fact that this month is also about intersectionality. Therefore, don’t be a roadblock for a woman of color or a trans female of genderfluid individuals. Be open and respectful and help them if you come across anyone in need and offer support wherever you can.
• Bring cis men and other privileged people on board and ask them to invest and extend their support. A lot of times, these people want to help but don’t know how to. You can bridge the gap and help them understand how they can celebrate and contribute in that month.

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Look, women’s contributions to history are not up for a debate – there’s no argument that their contributions to history have been indispensible.

We now hope that its clear to you why March is Women’s History Month and how to celebrate it.