This month, Women’s History is being officially celebrated for the 37th year. March is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of women throughout history and in contemporary society. The month-long celebration aims to raise awareness about women’s roles in shaping history, culture, and society, as well as to promote gender equality and women’s rights. Each year Women’s History month is guided by a theme that drives initiatives around the world. In the past, themes have included “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” and “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.” In 2024, the theme for women’s history month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” As explained by the National Women’s History Alliance, “During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity.”
Women’s History Month originated in the United States as what was originally called Women’s History Week. It was first celebrated in 1980 after President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as Women’s History week, established to coincide with International Women’s Day. In 1987, the United States Congress expanded Women’s History Week to Women’s History Month, recognizing the importance of celebrating women’s contributions throughout the entire month of March. This annual celebration is recognized in many different ways around the world, ranging from exchanges of cards and traditional foods to political demonstrations advocating for greater equality.
Women’s History Month is often recognized in high schools through educational initiatives and activities that can help to raise awareness surrounding women’s history and their achievements. High schools may organize special assemblies, guest speaker events, or classroom discussions focusing on women’s contributions to various fields throughout history. Teachers may incorporate women’s history into their curriculum by highlighting women’s achievements in the curriculum, assigning readings by women authors, and organizing research projects or presentations on notable women in history. Perhaps the most prevalent to LM however, is student-led initiatives, such as clubs or organizations focused on gender equality and women’s rights, which may also play a role in organizing events and activities to celebrate Women’s History Month at the high school level.
This year, Lower Merion Democrats club was on track to host a fundraising event for the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA. The organization’s mission is to “support individuals who need access to abortion today by providing counseling and financial assistance,” which the club thought was important to the shared values of Women’s History Month and their overall objective. The event was going to include tie dying T-shirts in the courtyard with an entry fee of just five dollars that would be put towards a donation to the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA. The goal was to not only fundraise for an important cause in the month of March, but additionally to raise awareness on the High School level of the importance of causes prevalent to Women’s History Month, empowering high school students to speak out. Unfortunately, the idea was dismissed by administration for being too political, and the student-led organization has been made effectively unable to proceed with their fundraiser. Student leadership hopes to meet with Superintendent Dr. Steven Yanni, about the possibility of the event ensuing next month.
That being said, there are still other measures that both student-led organizations and individual students can take to ensure that respect is being paid to the influential women who have paved the way for society today. March serves as an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history, and to promote gender equality and women’s rights in communities around the world. By spreading awareness and continuing to educate ourselves about historical advances spearheaded by women, we can continue to commemorate women’s contributions to society and culture.
