Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day

March is Women’s History Month, a dedicated month to reflect on the contributions of women to United States history, including many who are often overlooked. President Jimmy Carter first issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week in 1980. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the month of March.

March 8^th is International Women’s Day, a day to honor the contributions and achievements of women around the world. International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first International Women’s Day gathering taking place in 1911, drawing more than 1 million people to rallies worldwide. While this day is about recognizing and serving women to help encourage and promote social, economic, cultural, and political equity for all, it is also about women who serve.

Women have always been at the forefront of ‘people-facing’ services. From social services to healing, caretaking to teaching, women have selflessly put their communities and families first. Here at Catholic Charities, we see this in our staff which is 70% women. This International Women’s Day, we recognize and thank all the women who work to make a different tomorrow at Catholic Charities and all women whose collective voice has the power to change the world.

In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, below are some ways for you to celebrate and uplift the experiences of women:

• Watch- a documentary about women’s rights!
• He Named Me Malala
• I Am Greta
• She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry
• Read – books about gender equality!
• “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• “Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History” by Kate Schatz
• “The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World” by Melinda Gates
• Thank – the women in your life or community who have a positive impact!
• Women who work as health care professionals
• Your coworkers
• Your family members and friends
• Shop – from women-owned, local businesses!
• Christine’s Cheesecakes/ Christine's Sweet Confections
• Ellora’s Beauty Supply
• No Limit Painting
• And many, many more!
• Learn – about women-led Minnesota stories!
• https://www.tpt.org/post/minnesota-women/

Sources:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-64723201

https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day