Why a National Women’s History Month?

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Since 1910, March 8 has been observed as International Women's Day by people around the World. That is why March was chosen to be National Women's History Month in the United States, declared as such by a biennial Joint Resolution of the U.S. Congress since 1987.

The idea of creating such a celebration did not spring fully developed from the minds of its Congressional sponsors. Research to recover women's "lost" stories began on college campuses in the early 1970s. But in elementary and secondary school history textbooks, the imbalance remained glaring: women were outnumbered eleven to one.

In 1978, the founders of the National Women's History Project began asking the historical question, "But, what were the women doing?" And they've been sharing the answers about women's historic and contemporary contributions with the public ever since. Teachers, librarians, workplace program planners, and others have responded enthusiastically, integrating events for National Women's History Month into their March calendars.

Women's history does not rewrite history, but it does add very different perspectives about what is historically significant. Traditionally, history has focused on political, military, and economic leaders and events. That approach has virtually excluded women, both leaders and ordinary citizens, from history books. In addition to exploring the contributions of leaders in the public sphere, women's history also examines women's activities in the private sphere, and women's experiences at the crossroads where the two spheres meet and interact.

Courtesy of the National Women's History Project.
For more information about this organization, please contact the National Women's History Project, 7738 Bell Road, Windsor, CA 95492. (707) 838-6000.

Books for Exploring Women's History and the Writing Process
Teacher created book list includes tips for classroom use.

Women's History Month: Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio
To Pam Iorio, the Mayor of Tampa, Florida, Women's History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions of women throughout history. It's almost like going back in time, she said.

Jane Addams of Hull House
Read about the life of Nobel Peace Prize honoree Jane Addams, who started Hull House, a vital community center for poor immigrant workers in Chicago's industrial areas.

ONLINE ACTIVITY	Women's Suffrage: The History of Women's Right to Vote Explore the history of women's suffrage with interactive maps and quizzes. Plus, discover Effie Hobby, who remembers voting in the first...