The purpose of Women's History Month is to increase consciousness and knowledge of
women's history: to take one month of the year to remember the contributions of notable and ordinary women, in hopes that the day will soon come when it's impossible to teach or learn history
without remembering these contributions.
A brief history
In 1978 in California, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on
the Status of Women began a "Women's History Week" celebration. The week was chosen
to coincide with International Women's Day, March 8. Three years later, the United
States Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week. In
1987, at the request of the National Women's History Project, Congress expanded the
week to a month, and the U.S. Congress has issued a resolution every year since then,
with wide support, for Women's History Month. The U.S. President also issues a proclamation
annually of Women's History Month.
Explore Women's History Month
Click through the resources below to learn more about Women's History Month.
Every March, in celebration of Women's History Month, Women's, Ethnicity, and Intersectional
Studies hosts the Diverse Women's Summit. This event focuses on the diverse experiences
of women through presentations of student scholarship, expert panel discussions, and
artistic exhibitions.
