Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Women’s History Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women to society. It’s also an opportunity to learn about gender discrimination, sexism, and the persistence of each. By celebrating women and their accomplishments while recognizing gender inequality and how to unravel it, Women’s History Month seeks to create a brighter, more equitable future. Women’s History Month began in 1978, as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women held a “Women’s History Week” celebration the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. In 1980, a group of women’s organizations and historians, led by the National Women's History Alliance, successfully lobbied for national recognition, culminating in the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared March as Women’s History Month.
The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Throughout 2024, we honor local women from the past and present who have taken the lead to show the importance of change and to establish firmer safeguards, practices and legislation reflecting these values.
FERC encourages you to become an informed ally to women through the following resources:
National Women's History Alliance
National Women's History Museum