Women’s History Month. Celebrated annual in March, to mark women’s contribution to history. Female symbol. Women’s rights. Girl power in world. Poster, postcard, banner. Vector illustration
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. This honored month provides an opportunity to honor the generations of trailblazing women and girls who have built our Nation, shaped our progress, and strengthened our character as a people.
International Women’s Day on March 8 received formal recognition internationally started in 1910, when a women by the name of Clara Zetkin suggested there be a special day of recognition at the International Conference of Working Women in Denmark. In 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland celebrated what’s regarded as the first International Women’s Day.
Proclamation was established in 1987 that March was to be celebrated as “Women’s History Month. Between the years 1988 and 1994, US Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month.
The National Women’s History Alliance, championed by Gerda Lerner, started by leading a coalition that successfully lobbied Congress to designate March as Women’s History Month, to be recognized as a national week (1980) and then month (1987) in the United States, spreading internationally after that.
In March 2011, the Obama administration released a report, Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being, showing women’s status in the U.S. in 2011 and how it had changed over time.
This report was the first comprehensive federal report on women since the report produced by the Commission on the Status of Women in 1963.
Women’s History Month 2022 will take place from Tuesday, March 1 – Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Which Countries Celebrate Women’s History in March?
It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8, and during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18.
Women’s History Month was proclaimed in Canada in 1992, where its purpose is to give Canadians “an opportunity to learn about the important contributions of women and girls to our society – and to the quality of our lives today”.
October was chosen to coincide with the celebration of the anniversary on October 18 of the decision of the court case Edwards v. Canada, more commonly known as the Persons Case, in which it was established that Canadian women were eligible to be appointed senators and in general had the same rights as Canadian men with respect to positions of political power.
Women’s History Month was first celebrated in Australia in 2000, initiated by Helen Leonard, convenor of the National Women’s Media Centre, working with the Women’s Electoral Lobby. The organization of annual Women’s History Month celebrations is incorporated as part of the work of the Australian Women’s History Forum.
To commemorate the day and stand in solidarity, many people wear the official color of International Women’s Day — purple.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. IWD 2022 campaign theme: #BreakTheBias.
CHRONOLOGICAL FACTS: 21 Women’s History Month Facts
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