March is Women’s History Month. Over the next few weeks, we’ll celebrate how far we’ve come in the pursuit of equality, recognize those who are leading the charge, share ways you can show support, and acknowledge the work still left to do. 

 

Why is Women’s History Month Important?

Women have always been part of history. From the beginning of time, the evolution and survival of humankind have rested on the toil, sweat, and tears of women’s contributions. But for so long, all that has been overlooked. The part they played was edited or glossed over or ignored altogether. 

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to correct the narrative. Over the last fifty or so years, great strides have been made in the fight for equal pay, equal recognition, equal independence, and equal opportunity. Thanks to the suffragette movement of the 1850s, the worker’s strike in 1909, and the Strike for Equality in 1970, the gap is narrowing, and society is (gradually) moving in the right direction.

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” -Alice Walker

But while this month is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of women worldwide and celebrate how far we’ve come in the pursuit of equality, it’s also a sobering reminder of all the work there is left to do. Depending on who you are or where you live, or the color of your skin, millions of women still face discrimination, exploitation, and inequality to this day.

So yes, March is a time to celebrate and honor women and their historical, political, economic, and cultural achievements. But let us also use this month to call out the disparities, the inequalities, and the partiality of the systems that continue to keep our sisters down. Let us use this time to educate, equip, and empower girls and women to reach their full potential, to not be limited by the culture’s or society’s limitations. 

This Women’s History Month, let us be active champions for the cause. The fight is far from over, but each day brings us one step closer to a world where equality isn’t just the ideal; it’s the standard.