In 1978, Californian Educators first celebrated "Women's History Week" to increase awareness of the accomplishments of women and the powerful contributions they have made to society. Later, various other cities across America joined the celebration and now, every year on March 8th, International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide. 

 

In March 1980, after Women's History Month celebrations quickly became popular across the country, U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, officially declared that March 8th would officially be the start of "National Women's History Week".

 

Seven years later, in 1987, the U.S. Congress officially declared the entire month of March to be "Women's History Month". Now, every president has followed and declared March as Women's History Month.

 

Every March, the world celebrates Women's History Month to reflect on the triumphant achievements made by women which trailblazed the way to change. Awarding notable figures such as Sacagawea, a Lemi Shoshone explorer who was associated with the Lewis and Clark expedition which explored the American Northwest in the early 19th Century; Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist who rescued enslaved people during the Civil War; Rosa Parks, an American activist who is well known for refusing to give up her seat to a white man in Alabama in 1955; Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Among these remarkable women, Women's History Month honours every single woman who has contributed to culture and society. 

Each year, the National Women's History Alliance chooses a theme for Women's History Month. In 2014, the theme was "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment". 2017's theme:  "Honouring Trailblazing Women in Labour and Business". In both, 2020 and 2021, the theme has been "Valiant Women of the Vote". This year, the theme is "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope" as a tribute to the work of caregivers and frontline workers who are fighting against the ongoing pandemic and also acts as recognition to the countless women who have provided healing and promoted hope throughout history.