Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month focuses on commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

Description & History

91´«Ã½

The observance of began with the first International Women's Day celebrated in 1911. In 1978, the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women launched “Women’s History Week” encompassing the date of International Women’s Day March 8, to address the lack of women’s history in the K-12 curriculum. The celebration spread and grew in popularity causing President Jimmy Carter to proclaim the first Women’s History Week in 1980. In 1987, the celebration grew to the entire month of March when Congress passed . From 1988 to 1994 Congress passed resolutions authorizing the President to proclaim the month of March as Women’s History Month and since 1995 the month has been proclaimed annually.