Women’s History Month

As March draws to a close, taking a moment to reflect on Women’s History Month is important, but may be misdirected. Getting its start as ‘Women’s History Week’ in 1981 and eventually nationally recognizing March as Women’s History Month, this celebration seeks to shed light on the importance of women in American history and the fabric of our nation. Women have been essential in working towards a more egalitarian society and have been instrumental in producing change not only for themselves but for other subjects of discrimination, but there is still a long way to go. Women make history just as men do, and that needs to be recognized by revolutionizing the systematic resources people access history through. One month is great to bring attention to the contributions of women, however women’s history is American history and should not be an afterthought that we only pay attention to during one month out of the year. According to Nancy Goldstone, a writer for TIME, “we have allowed ourselves to be contented with the sop of parallel studies and a single month devoted to women’s achievements” rather than truly acknowledging women’s contribution to the development of the modern world. Despite this, it is important to take advantage of a month of heightened awareness to help bring attention to women’s achievement while also encouraging people to engage with their female trailblazers year-round.