Women’s History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.
DID YOU KNOW?
Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.
In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women’ History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week.
But the 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.
President Jimmy CarterAn excerpt of the message designating March 2–8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week.
A WEEK TO A MONTH
Subsequent Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
Participate in Women’s History Month
There are a few ways you can join in this Month; whether it’s reading our biographies and sharing the stories of women, using our lesson plans to bring women’s history into the classroom, or by scheduling a talk with one of our incredible historians. While we use March to highlight and promote our content, our incredible resources are available year-round.
Digital Classroom Resources
Celebrate with Us
For 30 years, the National Women’s History Museum has worked to ensure that women’s history is visible, accessible, and fully integrated into the story of our nation. This Women’s History Month check out our events, both in-person and virtual, that you can attend. We have events for everyone—whether it’s to learn more about women in history, how to integrate women’s history into your classroom, or opportunities to help continue cause.
Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women’s History Month in 2026 is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.
To learn more about the history of Women’s History Month, please visit the Library of Congress or the official Women’s History Month website.