*NEW* Women's History Month Resources
Women's History Month
Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8.
Did You Know? Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week . . .
Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.
In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week.
Subsequent Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March 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, each president has issued an annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women's History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
Explore Key Themes
Biographies
History of the Women’s Rights Movement
Living the Legacy: The Women’s Rights Movement (1848-1998)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That was Margaret Mead’s conclusion after a lifetime of observing very diverse cultures around the world. Her insight has been borne out time and again throughout the development of this country of ours. Being allowed to live life in an atmosphere of religious freedom, having a voice in the government you support with your taxes, living free of lifelong enslavement by another person. These beliefs about how life should and must be lived were once considered outlandish by many. But these beliefs were fervently held by visionaries whose steadfast work brought about changed minds and attitudes. Now these beliefs are commonly shared across U.S. society.
Highlighting Influential Women for International Women’s Day
March 8 marks International Women’s Day, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The MIT community at large has long highlighted the accomplishments of women—and their hard-fought efforts to achieve equity, at MIT and beyond, in often male-dominated fields. We’re honored to count many iconic women among our authors, and as the subjects of some of our most beloved books—including nanoscientist Mildred Dresselhaus, astronaut Kathy Sullivan, artist Marina Abramović, and more.
Explore the lives of these and other trailblazing women, and learn more about the MIT Press’s Fund for Diverse Voices.
Inspirational Women From Around the World
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 (and to create some women-inspired wanderlust!). Here's a list of 17 inspirational women from around the world, along with the destinations they call home.
Every year on 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This is a day to commemorate women’s achievements and raise awareness about gender equality. It also gives us a chance to highlight the incredible women who have changed the world throughout history!
From the activism of Rosa Parks and the scientific achievements of Marie Curie, all the way back to the reign of Cleopatra; women have been achieving great things for millennia in countries across the globe! Take a look at the world’s most inspiring women and where they are from.