Women’s History is No Longer a Mystery

Women’s History Month originates from many different places. Some claim it originated in Soviet countries as “Woman’s Day” in the early 20th century. Others claim it started with protests that occurred after the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in 1911. Still, more say it’s a combination of the two. 

Soviet countries were the first to officially declare an annual “Woman’s Day,” with Vladimir Lenin making the decision. He recognized the importance that women had in the Russian Revolution. Specifically, a large feminist movement on March 8, 1917 was linked to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and the revolution that brought Lenin’s political party into power. The term shifted from “Woman’s Day” to “Women’s Day,” and soon the movement spread to many Soviet countries around the world. Today, it is the second-biggest holiday in Russia.

Around the same time, on March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York City killed almost 150 workers, over 84% of which were young women. When investigated, it was discovered that, had the Triangle Waist Company installed more exits and unlocked the doors they already had, the workers might have been able to escape. This tragedy intensified the already-growing feminist movement. 

While there is no definitive answer to the origin of this month, its history within the United States is more easily traceable. 

In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women, California, founded the first “Women’s History Week.” March 8, which many believe is based on the Soviet “Woman’s Day” because of their shared date, was the focal point of the week. Schools in the county put on events and held women speakers. An essay contest about the “Real Woman” was created, receiving hundreds of submissions. The week finished with a parade in a town square. 

The concept of a Women’s History Week caught on quickly. Many counties, school districts and communities joined Sonoma County in celebrating women during this week. The effort eventually began to push for a nationwide week celebrating women’s history. 

Two years after Sonoma County began the movement, President Jimmy Carter established “National Women’s History Week” as the week of March 8, 1980. In his statement, he pushed communities to take part in the week. He wrote, “I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality – – Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul.” 

Every year, Congress would reinstate National Women’s History Week. It wasn’t until March 1987 when a week became a month and all of March was declared National Women’s History Month. 

This celebration is still relevant today. On February 28, 2023, President Joe Biden issued a statement in which he declared March 2023 as Women’s History Month. He spoke about women in activism specifically, stating, “Women — often women of color — have been on the frontlines, fighting for and securing equal rights and opportunity throughout our country’s history as abolitionists, civil rights leaders, suffragists, and labor activists. Women continue to lead as advocates for reproductive rights, champions of racial justice, and LGBTQI+ equality.” 

At Troy High School, people are sharing their thoughts on Women’s History Month. When asked whether she thinks Women’s History Month is important, sophomore Grace Tennant said, “Absolutely. It’s a huge part of our culture. It’s important because women’s history has changed. It’s shaped world history. We didn’t always have women’s rights, and when we got them, it changed the world.” 

Tennant continued, speaking on what the celebration of Women’s History Month means. “It means that we’ve gained enough to be recognized, but we’re not completely equal and we still need to celebrate that and understand it. There’s still more to go.”

Junior Aanya Shah said that the importance of Women’s History Month is centered on honoring women in the past. She said, “I feel that Women’s History Month is incredibly important to honor the women who have fought for our rights and all the liberties that we do have today.”

Despite its name, Women’s History Month isn’t just used to celebrate women’s history; it also amplifies advocacy for women’s rights worldwide. Tennant said, “The world is still changing. There are still places where women don’t have rights. It’s important to understand how we got them, what we still need to get, and how we can help people understand them.”