International Women’s Day falls on the 8th of March, a holiday that we use to appreciate the women in our lives. This day became recognized and promoted by the United Nations in the 1970s, a time famous for its protests regarding civil rights. International Women’s day would eventually morph into a month-long commemoration for women. In 1978, teachers in California extended International Women’s Day to a week-long celebration. They had different events planned out to teach students about women’s contributions. The word quickly spread to other districts, then throughout the country, and with the help of the National Women’s History Alliance, the week of March 8th was officially declared Women’s History Week by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Seven years later, Congress made the entirety of March Women’s History Month.
The National Women’s History Alliance selects a theme for the month every year. This is a way to focus on specific parts in history and the involvement of women. The theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
It’s often not acknowledged how different our lives could be without those who took the lead. If Betty Friedan hadn’t written “The Feminine Mystique,” would the housewives from the 60’s been confident enough to stand up? And without Dolores Huerta’s fearlessness, would farmers still be working in unsanitary conditions? These women were not stopped by panic or fright, instead they pushed forward for the benefit of everyone. Reminding others of the hard work of those who came before is a way to honor them, and the four women below are some of the most influential.
Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony grew up in a Quaker family that influenced her strong belief in equality. She advocated for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage. She gave countless speeches, formed large associations, and worked to gather petitions. On July 19th, 1848 a convention regarding women’s rights was held in Seneca Falls, New York. This day is recorded as the start of the women’s suffrage movement. Women were fighting the lack of voting rights and opportunities, and would not stop until they won. Anthony was a leader. On the morning of November 5th, she led a couple women to vote in the 1872 presidential election. Later, she was arrested and convicted for illegal voting. She took her advocacy further by refusing to pay the $100 fine, saying it was unjust. Anthony kept this energy throughout the rest of her life, in endless marches and lectures. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to see the Nineteenth aka “Susan B. Anthony” Amendment get passed in 1920.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first ever Jewish woman appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993. Ginsburg spent the better part of her life and career dedicated to equal rights for women. She faced a plethora of sexism during her education and work, but continued to persevere and become successful. Before she was a justice, she was an insanely good lawyer, taking cases like Reed v. Reed and Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld, both of which have to do with gender rights. As a court justice, she voiced her opinions on cases like United States v. Virginia, and Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Out of the hundreds of Supreme Court justices that have served, only 6 of them have been women. Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away in September of 2020, but her legacy will continue to inspire women for years to come.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris has made a breakthrough for women – becoming the first ever woman to serve as the Vice President of the United States. During her time in office from 2021 to 2025, she advocated for the freedoms of our country. She helped pass laws against gun violence, pushed for reforms on medical related debts, and continues to fight for equal rights for all. Harris often credits her mom for who she is now, pointing out all she had done for Harris growing up, and the hardships of being a single mom. Kamala Harris is a symbol of change for women in the U.S, and will certainly continue to be so in the future.
Louisa May Alcott
Most famous for her book Little Women, a story about 4 sisters transitioning from childhood into womanhood, Alcott made a huge impact on the literary world. Her widely successful works depicted female main characters in positive and relatable ways, something that wasn’t always prevalent in her time. Her family was often financially unstable, so writing was both an emotional escape and a way for her to support herself. She was involved in women’s suffrage, using her writing to promote and advocate for women’s rights. She was also the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Connecticut. Alcott published many beloved books and short stories, and continues to be remembered for her iconic writing well into our current times.
Thanks to all of these women, and all others who have helped with gender equality, laws like Title IX, have been passed to protect women. This has opened doors to more opportunities, jobs, and independence. Despite these achievements though, the battle for equality is not yet complete. Women still lack things like medical rights, and the wage gap still exists. Case in point: In June of 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that legalized abortion across the country.. This means abortion rights are no longer federally protected and allows states to ban the procedure. The decision brought out a national response from women, the common argument being that women have a right to decide what happens to their own bodies, including having an abortion. It’s also been reported that women are still mistreated in the workplace. Women are still paid less, and are oftentimes discouraged from taking on leadership positions or larger responsibilities.
So knowing your US history, remember to spend this Woman’s History Month appreciating the women in your life, and all the women who have made a difference in the world. While we still have a ways to go, we’ve made huge strides towards gender equality, but the work begins at home. Make sure to tell your mom how much you appreciate her, or tell your coworkers that they’re doing a good job. All you really need is a positive attitude. In the words of Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, “While we may be the first to do many things, we must make sure we are not the last.” In order to do that, we need everyone’s support. As another famous leader once said, “Be the change you want to see” (Mahatma Ghandi).
