How To Celebrate Women's History Month: A Focus On Diversity
Women's History Month in March each year is dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of women throughout history, with a focus on diversity. The month of March provides an opportunity to acknowledge women's worldwide impact and celebrate their stories, experiences, and achievements. By taking the time to learn about women from diverse backgrounds and to recognize the differences in their experiences, you may take a step toward promoting gender equality and inspiring future generations of girls and women.
What is the importance of celebrating Women’s History Month?
Celebrating Women's History Month can be significant, as it offers communities the opportunity to acknowledge and pay homage to the women who have made significant contributions to society. Women often play a crucial role in shaping the world, yet their stories and achievements may be underrepresented or overlooked in traditional history books. Women's History Month serves as a reminder of the impact women have had and could continue to have and how to uplift current women pioneers in various countries.
In addition, celebrating National Women's History Month could help educate future generations about the role of women. By highlighting the achievements and contributions of women, you may inspire future generations of girls and women to pursue their passions and make a difference. Women who know they can enter male-dominated careers or make changes to policies that don't serve them may feel more confident in doing so.
Finally, Women's History Month could help raise awareness about the ongoing struggles for gender equality and the work that may still be necessary. Despite women's many achievements and contributions throughout history, gender inequality remains a pervasive concern, and according to UNICEF, it starts in childhood. By highlighting the stories and experiences of diverse women, leaders, and organizations with power can start to make changes.
How to celebrate Women's History Month with a focus on diversity
The origins of Women’s History Month began with women lifting each other up to stand for more focus on the history and accomplishments of women. Before we had a whole month, there was only International Women’s Day, which had gone almost completely ignored until 1969 when Laura X organized a march and call for a Women’s History Month. Her advocacy led to the creation of the Women’s History Research Center.
Then, between 1978 and 1979, there were experiments done with creating a Women’s History Week, receiving massive support after Gerda Lerner chaired a 15-day conference sponsored by Sarah Lawrence College, the Women’s Action Alliance, and the Smithsonian Institution. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter cited this conference as the reason behind making Women’s History Week an official celebration, quoting Gerda Lerner that “women’s history is women’s right.”
In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned that Congress make it official that March should be Women’s History Month. After receiving the official declaration, Women’s History Month has been celebrated across the country, with state education programs developing curriculums and events to advocate for equality between the sexes and how women have shaped history.
Below are a few suggestions for celebrating Women's History Month with a focus on diversity. Although you can take part in these alone, consider inviting friends and family to join in.
Learn about women from diverse backgrounds
Try learning about women from diverse backgrounds who have made a difference in their communities and the world. This learning might include women from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women with disabilities, LGBTQ+ women, and women from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Hosting a celebratory event
Organize a Women's History Month event, either in person or virtually, to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women. This event could include a panel discussion, a film screening, a book club, or a workshop. Consider inviting speakers from diverse backgrounds to say their experiences and perspectives.
Hosting events like these might bring people together to learn about and celebrate the achievements of various women. However, if you cannot organize an event, find someone who can or attend a local event by searching the Women's History Month website event calendar on the home page.
Impart women’s stories on social media
You may be able to use social media to impart the stories of women who have made a difference in their communities and the world. Consider saying quotes, videos, or articles about women you admire. In addition, encourage others to tell their stories and thoughts. Telling women's stories on social media could help raise awareness about the achievements and contributions of diverse women. It might inspire others to learn more about these women and their experiences.
Support women-owned businesses
Supporting women-owned businesses could empower women and create opportunities for women to succeed in the business world. Support women-owned businesses by purchasing products or services from them or donating to their business. If you know of a woman-owned business looking for volunteers, consider volunteering your time to a local cause.
Donate to organizations that support women
Consider donating to organizations that support women, such as those that provide education, healthcare, and other essential services to women in need. Contributing to these organizations may make a difference in the lives of real women and help address issues of gender inequality and discrimination worldwide.
Women’s contributions to society to celebrate this year
Women have made countless contributions to society, and their impact can be found in multiple areas of life, including career, government, and home life. Below are a few examples to keep in mind this March and throughout the year.
Politics
Women have been instrumental in advocating for political change and equal rights. From women's suffrage movements to modern campaigns for gender equality, women have been at the forefront of political activism. American women like Sojourner Truth and Bella Abzug have paved the way for future generations of women to become involved in politics and fight for political rights. Women have also made significant contributions to politics by serving as elected officials and leaders. Several women currently hold government positions, from Congress to serving in the White House, most notably Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President of the United States.
Science and technology
Women have significantly contributed to science and technology, including computer science, medicine, and engineering. Women like Grace Hopper and Ada Lovelace helped shape the field of computer science, while Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin laid the foundation for modern medical research.
Arts and culture
Women have been creating and shaping culture for centuries, from literature and music to visual arts and film. Many women artists, authors, musicians, and filmmakers may have made significant contributions to popular culture, and many modern women have continued to impart their art and creativity.
Sports
Women's History Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the incredible achievements of women throughout history. Women may have made a significant impact in the world of sports, from breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated sports to becoming top athletes.
Women in sports may have inspired countless young girls to pursue their dreams and not give up on showcasing their skills in a male-dominated field. By recognizing the contributions of past and present women, you can honor their legacy and continue to strive toward gender equality in all areas of life.
Counseling options for women
If you're a woman, living with gender inequality or gender-related violence can be challenging. In these cases, reaching out to a therapist who understands your experiences may be beneficial. However, it can be challenging to sift through options in person, and many people have busy schedules that don't accommodate therapy. In these cases, online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp might be beneficial.
Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process and reflect on their experiences and emotions related to the achievements and challenges of women. In addition, with an online platform, individuals can choose to be matched with a woman, with extra options for finding a therapist from LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities. For those looking for intersectionality in care, these options may be comforting.
One study by K. Chantler contributes to the understanding of how to promote gender equality through therapy. It highlights how considering intersectionality between gender and race in therapy can be essential for health, and the need for a direct engagement with these dimensions may also be beneficial. The study showcases how intersectionality in therapy can meet the needs of multiple clients instead of a few groups. By considering structural dimensions such as race, gender, and class within the therapeutic practice, individuals may be able to address their own biases and work toward equity. In addition, online therapy can be as effective as in-person options for treating common mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, or chronic stress.
Takeaway
Celebrating Women's History Month could be an opportunity to honor the achievements and contributions of women throughout history, with a particular focus on diversity. By learning about women from diverse backgrounds, hosting events, telling women's stories, supporting women-owned businesses, and donating to organizations that support women, you may help raise awareness about the reason for this month's foundations.
If you're a woman living with mental health challenges or looking to discuss your specific experiences with gender-related or intersectional gender challenges, consider contacting a therapist for further compassionate guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are several frequently asked questions on the topic of Women's History Month.
Why Do People Celebrate Women's History Month?
People worldwide celebrate March to look at past accomplishments of women throughout history and see areas of possible growth in the future. Women still experience workplace prejudice and discrimination, pay gaps, medical discrimination, and other forms of discrimination. In addition, women of color and women with disabilities face higher rates of discrimination. Celebrating Women's History Month allows everyone to honor individuals' strides toward gender equality.
When Could A Woman First Get A Credit Card In The US?
In 1975, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act allowed women to get credit cards separately without a husband's signature. Before the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders could deny anyone credit due to gender, race, marital status, and other factors. These policies significantly impacted women in same-sex relationships and women of color.
How Long Was The Fight For Women's Suffrage?
The fight for women's suffrage lasted around a century. In 1848, women began organizing for women's suffrage at the Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca Falls, New York. The event was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mont, Mary McClintock, Martha Coffin Wright, and Jane Hunt. Around 300 women met to discuss the future of women's suffrage at the Seneca Falls Convention. Eventually, white women were granted the right to vote after the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920. However, Black women and other women of color were not given the right to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1964, meaning that women's suffrage lasted longer than a century before all women could vote.
Why Is Intersectionality Crucial For Celebrating Women's History Month?
It may only be possible to fully celebrate and understand this holiday through an intersectional lens. Many influential figures in women's history have been women of color, women with disabilities, women in the LGBTQ+ community, and other minority women. Much of what people are taught about women's history focuses only on the contributions of women in majority groups, leaving out other figures.
By honoring the accomplishments and legacies of all women, communities can celebrate women's history more accurately. The progress toward gender equality often results from women from all different backgrounds working together for a common goal while understanding that each woman may have unique circumstances that put them in a place of privilege or greater struggle. Focusing on an intersectional view of women's accomplishments may provide a foundation for change.
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