Women’s History Month

Please note: The use of “woman” on our website and resources is meant to describe individuals who were socialized as and currently identify as women.

Every March in the United States since 1987 has been dedicated to Women’s History Month. It’s a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. Each year the USA’s National Women’s History Alliance designates a theme. This year’s theme, “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”, honors the matriarchal qualities and abilities to restore health or soundness, to ease, to cure, and to nurture.

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for expanding gender parity. The first day took place on March 8, 1911. Many countries around the world today celebrate the holiday with demonstrations, educational initiatives and customs such as presenting women with gifts and flowers. 

The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day since 1975. When adopting its resolution on the observance of International Women’s Day, the United Nations General Assembly cited the following reasons: “To recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.”

In this current time, we are exhausted of being scared, sad, and flooded by the barrage of terrible incidents. We are in wartime during an unrelenting pandemic. The war in Ukraine has displaced so many from their homes and from each other. Lives have been ruined and lost. So why the need to commemorate Women’s History when there is tragedy? We still live in a world where there is gender inequality, biases, stereotypes and discrimination against women. We still have women who are surviving while in danger or enslaved. There are still women who caretake for the lives that rely on them. We have mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters, like the Ukrainian women, who leave their countries in search of safety and sanctuary. Whose life carries the weight of trauma yet will postpone their tears and needs to first tend to those they love.

Honoring women’s achievements and contributions recognizes their significant importance in society. It is one way to ensure women don’t get swallowed into the abyss of catastrophe. Applauding women in small and large gestures provides healing and promotes hope for international peace and security.

We hope you pay tribute to the women in Ukraine and in other countries who are comforting their loved ones while needing solace for themselves. We hope you celebrate yourself if you are a woman for your resiliency. We hope you pay tribute to the women in your life and in your community for existing.