Celebrating National Women’s History Month

For centuries, women have been primarily defined by their roles as nurturers, caregivers, and child raisers. While many women hold these roles dear, they are far from the only qualities that make women so extraordinary. Women should also be supported for having traits like strength, fierceness, determination, intelligence, and influence.

In fact, societies struggle when women are not encouraged to pursue their strengths and are instead forced into stereotypical roles of housewife or primary caregiver. Though these are important and admirable roles, influential women in history have demonstrated that wonderful innovation happens when women can choose their paths instead of letting them be dictated by society. Still others have done it all!

Though there is still much progress to be made, it’s important to take time to acknowledge the women whose contributions have impacted our lives today. Women have played a vital role in history, and taking time to honor them during this year’s Women’s History Month gives us an opportunity to truly appreciate the parts of our world affected by this group of incredible people.

How Did Women’s History Month Originate?

In 1981, Congress passed a motion to designate March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. The success of the celebration was tremendous and resulted in the passing of a Congressional motion to designate one week of March each year for the celebration of women’s history. However, one week was quickly determined to be insufficient time to celebrate the accomplishments and influence of women. By 1987, the National Women’s History Project had convinced Congress to designate the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

For the next six years, Congress would ask the President to designate March with that prestigious title. Then, beginning in 1995, the tradition changed. Each sitting president issues a proclamation so the country can celebrate the boundless achievements of women throughout the United States and around the globe.

What Is the Significance of Celebrating National Women’s History Month?

Too often, we forget the drive and tenacity that women in history showed when they stepped outside of the roles society assigned to them. We tend to overlook how frequently their accomplishments were overshadowed by others. Worse, we fail to challenge the negative tones that arise when stories are told of women who voraciously opposed the injustices of their times. Celebrating the power of women in American history is an opportunity to ensure the efforts of women in our past are not taken for granted or casually dismissed.

Progress for some women’s issues has been hard-won, but the fight is far from over. Celebrating National Women’s History Month is a time to highlight not only the achievements of women in our past but also to address continuing and emerging issues affecting women. Women and girls are still experiencing domestic violence, an issue that became even more obvious during the pandemic. They are also still living with a gender pay gap and internet connectivity issues that hinder education. This month is a time to acknowledge these issues and push even harder for solutions.

Ultimately, the significance of celebrating National Women’s History Month is that we get to celebrate! It’s a time to unapologetically be women and take pride in those who made it possible to have the celebration at all.

What Is the Theme for This Year’s National Women’s History Month?

The power of women in American culture can leave a person in awe, especially when you consider the women who fought for more than just themselves. The 2024 National Women’s History Month theme honors these women by focusing on “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” This theme encourages us to recognize those who advocate for eliminating biases and discriminatory behaviors from not only our lives but our institutions as well.

As a group who has experienced discriminatory behaviors firsthand, women who push the thinking of our society’s social interactions to create fairness are fighting not just for their own rights but the rights of every citizen.

To some, diversity, equity, and inclusion are divisive terms saved only for political arguments. However, women see them as an opportunity to redefine our norms. Sometimes norms need to be challenged, and that is what this year’s theme is all about: honoring those who make us think that just because that’s the way it is doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to be.

Through their courage, women throughout history have been fighting to ensure that no one is left behind, that every life matters, and that no one feels excluded regardless of identity or social standing. The women honored this year continue to show that change matters and that nothing should stand in the way of treating others as they deserve to be treated.

How Do You Honor Women’s History Month?

There are several ways to celebrate Women’s History Month. Sticking with this year’s theme, there are innumerable pathways you can use to honor and bring awareness to the contributions of women in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Honor Women’s History Month In the Workplace

Consider honoring the women in your business by drawing attention to the theme of this year. Review your procedures for discrimination and diversity and ensure they meet the needs of your employees for 2024.

Organize a Charity Fundraiser

Whether you’re at school, at work, or in your community, choose an organization that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and host a fundraiser that supports that organization. From cake sales to community walks, find a charity close to your heart and work together to honor women.

Empower Your Social Media

For the duration of March, let your social media be taken over each day by posts honoring women for their accomplishments. Post daily quotes, pictures, or stories that help others learn about the importance of not just the month but also the power of the female voice. If you aren’t sure what to post, start by introducing the world to a woman in your life who you think embodies the fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Celebrate Wellness

In celebrating others, we often forget to celebrate ourselves. Honor women by allowing yourself to honor who you are. Take the time for an introspective health check, then take steps to improve your physical and mental health. Take a yoga class, a meditation, or even get a massage. Remind yourself that you matter and you also deserve to be celebrated.

Create a Women’s Empowerment Playlist

Everyone can hear the music, but when it hits just right, it can impact your emotions. Create a playlist consisting of diverse female artists who have made contributions to the entertainment industry. From Aretha Franklin to Britney Spears, each woman on your playlist has a story, and their music is the best way to tell it.

Related Reading: The Music and Art of Tease: Top Burlesque Styles Today and Songs to Go With Them

Learn and Teach Others About Intersectionality

While some may view it as another polarizing topic, intersectionality is a way to embrace the whole of a person. Intersectionality is about seeing a person as an intersection, not just a road. Each roadway that meets that intersection brings a different set of challenges, celebrations, and perceptions. But each road is a part of the story of a person. To be fully inclusive, we must understand that people are not defined by just one thing; they are a combination of many.

Wear Purple

Dating back to the National Women’s Party and the Suffragettes, purple has long been a symbolic color for women. On March 8, encourage others to wear purple to celebrate the fight these historical women had in trying to bring equity to the divide between men and women. Or, take it a step further and consider using purple in your emails, text exchanges, or other communications. It may spark some deep conversations.

These ideas are just a few of the ways you can get active this Women’s History Month. Get creative and find ways to bring awareness to the topics we shy away from daily. Use the stories of women to help show what needs to change. The ultimate way to honor women during this month is to be the change yourself.

Why Is Women’s History Month So Important?

This year’s theme truly embodies what women’s history is all about: drawing strength from those who set the example. When they were told “No,” they stood up and said “Yes” instead. When they were told, “You can’t,” they stood up and said, “We will.” When they were told they weren’t good enough, they stood up and said, “That’s true – we’re better.”

History is strength, and that is true for any individual or group. Each day we make a decision, we build a piece of the structure that is our life. Sometimes, we make decisions that build us up, and sometimes we put ourselves on pause so that we can help others build themselves.

That is the truth of Women’s History Month. By openly recognizing the accomplishments of women throughout history in a variety of ways, others can join the celebration. Celebrating women’s history creates a path to the future for young women and girls who may need a boost of encouragement. Whether they are thinking up the next great invention or standing up to the indignities women are facing, the answer to inclusiveness ahead lies in the fight against discrimination in the past.

NamaSLAY During National Women’s Month

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Women’s Month, celebrate the empowerment of the strong women in your life and the opportunities you have to succeed. Women who have dedicated themselves to helping ensure others succeed behind them are treasures. You can purposefully honor this year’s theme by challenging the norms in your life and clearly defining what is and is not acceptable. Treat others the same way you wish to be treated and let go of the judgments and stereotypes that may plague your life.

At NamaSLAY, we celebrate women who slay every day. Break out your purple and join us this March as we honor what it means to be a woman.

---

Resources:

1. National Women’s History Alliance. (2024). 2024 WHM Theme. Retrieved from https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2024-whm-theme/
2. Unexpected Virtual Tours. (n.d.). Women’s History Month: Ideas for Work. Retrieved from https://unexpectedvirtualtours.com/resources/womens-history-month-ideas-for-work/
3. Champions Speakers. (n.d.). Women’s History Month: Honour Female Achievements. Retrieved from https://champions-speakers.co.uk/news/womens-history-month-honour-female-achievements