Women’s History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the vital role and contributions of women in American history and contemporary society per the Founder of National Women’s History Alliance, Molly Murphy MacGreagor.

Who do we celebrate?

All women for sure as we are making history now and also those from our past.

Here are the 12 women who changed the world:

• Jane Austen (1775 – 1817)
• Anne Frank (1929 – 1945)
• Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)
• Queen Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603)
• Catherine the Great (1729 – 1796)
• Sojourner Truth (1797 – 1883)
• Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005)
• Malala Yousafzai (1997 – )
• Marie Curie (1867 – 193
• Ada Lovelace (1815 – 1852)
• Edith Cowan (1861 – 1932)
• Amelia Earhart (1897 – 1939)

If you do not know their name or their contribution to the world, I would highly recommend connecting with a woman or young lady and reading about them together. This way the legacy of women’s history month carries on.

What are some ways people can celebrate?

Wearing the colors that symbolize this celebration is one way.

Internationally, purple is a color for symbolizing women. Historically the combination of purple, green and white to symbolize women’s equality originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908.

Another way to celebrate is to learn more about women.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. HERE are some events you can participate in this month.

A third way to celebrate is to learn the history of the celebration.

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

The Law Library of Congress has compiled guides to commemorative observations, including a comprehensive inventory of the Public Laws, Presidential Proclamations and congressional resolutions related to Women’s History Month.

All my best,

Manal