NATIONAL NEWS
February 28, 2001
Why Women's History Month?
A look at the effort to honor women's contributions to American history and culture
 The Women's Museum in Dallas is the first of its kind in the country. |
Every March, the country celebrates the accomplishments of women in American History. Even though these accomplishments go back a long way, most schools didn't start focusing on women pioneers and their achievements until recently. Today, most colleges offer classes in women's history and most schools teach kids about the many contributions women have made to our country's history. How did this shift come about? The answer lies in the history books, of course!
International Women's Day Is Born
On March 19, 1911, a German woman named Klara Zetkin organized the very first International Women's Day. Inspired by American working women, the annual event took on the causes of peace (in an effort to end World War I) as well as women's rights. Over the years, interest in International Women's Day dwindled until the 1960s, when the women's movement caused women to wonder why they weren't included in the history books.
 |  A visitor at the Women's Museum in Dallas reads a quote from Susan B. Anthony, a famous fighter for women's rights. |
National Women's History Week Is Celebrated
By the 1970s, more female historians began to look back at the contributions of women in history. In 1978, a California school district started Women's History Week to promote the teaching of women's history. School officials picked the week of March 8 to include International Women's Day. It was so popular that, in 1981, Congress passed a resolution making the week a celebration for the entire country. The concept of studying women's history continued to grow in popularity and in 1987, a group of women (supported by people working in museums, schools and libraries) asked Congress to expand the celebration. That same year, Congress declared the entire month of March National Women's History Month.
First Women's History Museum Opens Its Doors
Today, schools and communities across the country celebrate the month with special lessons and activities designed to teach the ways women have helped shape U.S. history. Last year, the first-ever national women's history museum opened in Dallas, Texas. "The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future" brings to life the stories and achievements of 3,000 amazing American women. Besides paying tribute to women of the past and present, the museum runs Girlstart, a program that encourages young women to consider working in math, science and computer technology. These fields have been traditionally dominated by men.
The women who have worked hard to make Women's History Month a reality have an important wish. They'd like to see women's history studied all year-round, and not just every March.
