About Women鈥檚 History Month
March is Women鈥檚 History Month, the month to observe the contributions and achievements of women nationally. This month of observance is significant in reflecting on Women鈥檚 impact on history and modern society. Organizations throughout the United States and the world allocate this month to pay time and attention to recognizing women鈥檚 innovation and perseverance. 鈥�
The History of Women鈥檚 History Month
Women鈥檚 History Month originated in 1978 in California, where the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women organized a local 鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Week鈥� consisting of an essay competition and a parade. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Week鈥� impacted the country, resulting in other organizations celebrating 鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Week鈥� the following year. Jumping to 1980, the National Women鈥檚 History Project (now the National Women鈥檚 History Alliance) and many others advocated and lobbied for national recognition and observance of 鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Week鈥�. In February of 1980, U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the week of March 8, 1980, the first 鈥淣ational Women鈥檚 History Week鈥�. In 1987, 鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Month鈥� was first declared by Congress and has been honored since.
Significance of Women鈥檚 History Month
Women have often faced inequality, specifically regarding access to fundamental resources and through the treatment of inferiority. However, we celebrate and honor Women鈥檚 History Month to grow as a society by learning and seeking to appreciate women鈥檚 perseverance and impact. Throughout history, women have been pivotal, from nurturing life to creating sentimental art and through inventions which increase the quality of life. Through familiarity, together we can learn about injustices that women experienced in the past and experience now to create a robust society that values women and creates an environment that supports women鈥檚 well-being and innovation.
Women鈥檚 History Month is rooted in spotlighting women鈥檚 contributions through their intelligence, motivation, and influence, serving aa a catalyst both historically and today.
National Women鈥檚 History Alliance Theme 2025
The National Women鈥檚 History Alliance marks 鈥淢oving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations鈥� as the theme for Women鈥檚 History Month 2025. The theme encourages everyone to reflect upon and celebrate influential women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. The theme is relevant to recognizing women鈥檚 collective strength and the inspiration that has impacted all generations. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invites you to reach out to a woman who has positively impacted your life and exemplified dedication to education, mentorship, and leadership!
Quotes:
鈥淔rom classrooms to boardrooms, and from grassroots movements to global initiatives, women educators and leaders have played a pivotal role in nurturing minds and inspiring transformative action.鈥�
鈥淥ur 2025 theme spotlights the contributions women have made to the American educational system, the free marketplace of ideas, and the very fabric of our democracy.鈥�
- National Women鈥檚 History Alliance
How to Honor WHM:
Reflect and reach out to the women in your life who have been impactful!
Nominate a woman at OCU who has been inspiring and influential for the Influential Women Award.
Discover captivating literature by women.
Watch films that highlight women鈥檚 perspectives and/ or are directed by women.
Research and learn about the injustices, perseverance, and innovation of women.
OKC Community events
The 糖心vlog视频 History Center presents the Second Annual 糖心vlog视频 Women鈥檚 History Conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 1. (Free)
Goddess Awakening Presents:鈥疉 Celebration of Women鈥檚 History from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. March 1 at the OKC Farmers Market. ($)
Femme Film Series at 7 p.m. March 20 in the Te Ata Theater at OKC Contemporary Arts Center. (Free)
Local Artist Showcase: Women鈥檚 History Month Exhibit available from March 1-31 at the Philomathea Exhibit Hall Downtown OKC Library. (Free)
OCU events
Celebrating International Women鈥檚 Day Market 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Student Lounge at the University Center.
Women鈥檚 History Month Panel & OCU Influential Women Ceremony Great Hall from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in the Great Hall at the University Center.
