March. 1, 2023 sets the beginning of Women’s History Month, a month to honor and celebrate the contributions of women.

Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in 1980 after President Jimmy Carter signed a presidential proclamation stating that “achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” The week later turned into a month after people realized that there was too much history to cram into one week. 

Although we observe Women’s History Month as a nation, other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom observe the month as well because International Women’s Day falls on March. 8, 2023.

Every International Women’s Day get’s a theme set by the United Nations. 2023’s theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” they chose to focus on women’s access to technology and STEM to shed light on the women who “are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education” according to the UN’s website.

The Whitehouse issued a statement on the first day of Women’s History Month saying “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.  Throughout history, these women have opened the doors of opportunity for subsequent generations of dreamers and doers.”