Women’s rights have made leaps and bounds in America. In just a hundred years, women have managed to gain suffrage, work place rights, and an entire month dedicated to their history.
“Women’s History Month allows us to observe what women faced in the past, as well as what present and future problems are,” said senior Riley Wells.
March was declared National Women’s History month in 1987 by congress, but just like the rest of the Women’s Rights Movement, National Women’s History Month started small and grew.
Originally, it was just one day a year observed by those dedicated to women’s rights, but was expanded to a week in 1981.
The original one day celebration on March 8, called International Women’s Day, did not die out though and is still celebrated by women around the world.
“I try to draw interest to it by tweeting or sharing articles with others,” said Wells.
Every year a new theme is chosen meant to focus on a specific group of women and the 2013 theme highlighted leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
These fields tend to be seen as primarily male fields, so recognizing the women succeeding in them is seen as a way to try to fix the status quo.
“Focusing attention on areas where women are still really underrepresented is a good way to bring it to the attention of young women and maybe even spark an interest in those fields,” senior Gracie Bain.
To recognize this month-long celebration, there are rallies, races, and speeches across the country in support of a wide range of issues effecting women.
While National Women’s History Month is not as well publicized as National African American History Month, it still holds the same importance to those who it concerns.
The recognition of women is not unique to America, but is present around the world.
On International Women’s Day, events occur both in the crowded streets of London and in the rural villages in Africa.
“I think it is a good idea to have an international celebration for women because it helps women around the world feel connected,” said Bain.
The focus will change, but the importance of having time every year dedicated to women will not.
