The public celebration of women’s history in this country began in 1978 as “Women’s History Week” in Sonoma County, Calif.
The week including March 8, International Women’s Day, was selected.
International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women, took place for the first time on March 8, 1911.
Many countries around the world celebrate the holiday with demonstrations, educational initiatives and customs such as presenting women with gifts and flowers.
Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.
The United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day since 1975.
In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women’s History Week.
In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women’s History Month.
In 2011, the Barack Obama administration released a report highlighting 50 years of progress.
According to history.com, the 2012 theme, “Women’s Education-Women’s Empowerment,” honors pioneering teachers and advocates who helped women and other groups gain access to advanced learning.
Women have made so many contributions to the world – from childbirth to inventions, from Congress to the Neighborhood Watch.
More importantly, women have had to fight through Women’s Suffrage, making way for their own rights and opportunities in search for equality.
Retrospectively, minority women have had to rally, fight and work twice as hard.
March gives women the opportunity to showcase and honor other women who go above and beyond the expected domesticity.
I encourage everyone to go to the production of For Colored Girls, the play March 30 through April 1.
Check the Campus Life Daily Digest for time and location information.
As we come to the close of this month, I challenge each person to find a way to honor one woman whether it be through an email, gift or kind words.