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Recognizing
Women's History
In 1980, a coalition of women's organizations and historians, spearheaded by the National Women's History Project (currently known as the National Women's History Alliance), campaigned for national acknowledgment. Their efforts culminated in February 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation, designating the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.
By 1986, 14 states had named the entire month of March Women's History Month. In March 1987, years of lobbying paid off when Congress legally declared March Women's History Month to honor the contributions of women in history, culture and society.
International Women's Day
Inspired by Women’s History Day in the U.S., International Women's Day (IWD) was first celebrated on March 19, 1911. In 1913, March 8 was named the permanent annual date for the observation of IWD.
IWD is a celebration of women's achievements in social, economic, cultural and political arenas. It stands as a beacon for gender equality, with a rich legacy of collective action driven by diverse groups, countries and organizations. Today, it is a globally recognized event, celebrated in diverse ways by communities worldwide. Its aims are to honor women's accomplishments, spotlight gender inequality, mobilize for equality, support women-focused charities and foster a spirit of solidarity.
A Worldwide Celebration
While progress has been made since 1909, inequality and sexism have continued. For instance, it wasn't until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 that women were allowed to obtain credit in their own names. Additionally, a gender pay gap persists, with women earning only 85 cents for every dollar a man makes, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
Even with these barriers, women have made great strides. For example, women now constitute 28% of lawmakers in the 119th Congress, represent 47% of the U.S. workforce, and between 2008 and 2022, women graduated from four-year schools at higher rates than men (66% vs. 58%). While women have achieved remarkable progress, paving the way for even greater advancements, much work remains to be done.
The Struggle
and the Opportunity
To show your support of Women's History Month, download a virtual meeting background at:
Littler Celebrates Women's History Month - 2025 | Littler Mendelson P.C.
Why Do We Recognize Women’s History Month?
Here’s everything you need to know about this special month and why it’s important to celebrate.
The first Women’s History Day was held in New York City on February 28, 1909, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the garment workers' strikes. During these strikes, 15,000 immigrant women marched through lower Manhattan to Union Square, advocating for economic rights.
Almost 70 years later, in 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women in Santa Rosa, California organized a "Women's History Week" celebration to raise awareness about the lack of women's history in K-12 school curriculums at the time. They chose the week of March 8 to align with International Women's Day. The idea quickly gained traction, and by the following year, other communities across the U.S. began hosting their own Women's History Week events.
Early Beginnings
In December 2020, legislation was passed to establish the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. While a site is being selected in Washington, D.C., the museum is offering online programs to advance its mission of making women’s history more visible. The museum’s latest interactive digital exhibition, “Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women’s History Into Focus,” highlights that women have been making history for centuries, yet their stories are often missing from the narrative. Through the stories of five women, this free exhibit demonstrates how this happens and what we can do to change it.
A Long
Overdue Recognition
Women’s History Month is recognized around the world, with various countries observing it at different times. In the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, it takes place in March. Canada, however, celebrates Women’s History Month in October, starting from 1992, to honor the Persons Case, which affirmed that Canadian women have the same rights as men to hold political office. Australia began its observance in 2000. Additionally, events are held in countries such as China, Germany, Japan, Russia, Ukraine and several African nations.
Since 1987, the National Women's History Alliance (NWHA) has chosen an annual theme for Women’s History Month. The 2025 theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” celebrates women’s collective strength in education, mentorship and leadership. Throughout history, women like Septima Poinsetta Clark, who developed key literacy and citizenship workshops during the Civil Rights Movement, and Reshma Saujani, founder of "Girls Who Code," have been pivotal in inspiring change and bridging gaps. From classrooms to boardrooms to courtrooms, women educators and leaders have nurtured minds and driven transformative change globally.
Moving Forward Together: Educating and Inspiring
