Written by Marcha Daniels
Starting Tuesday, March 1st marks the beginning of National Women’s History Month; a month dedicated to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments, sacrifices, and activism of women throughout the United States. Initially created as a “Woman’s History Week” in 1978 by an educational commission within Sonoma County, the event won local and national success after Jimmy Carter recognized the week in 1980. This recognition eventually led to states declaring March as “Women’s History Month,” ultimately gaining congressional recognition in 1987, finally declaring March the national month for women’s history.
Today, Women’s History Month continues to recognize the various achievements women have made in securing equal rights to wages, voting, and pursuit of opportunities, alongside creating spaces for current intersectional issues of reproductive justice, domestic and sexual violence, racial exclusivity within feminism, and LGBTQIA+ equality. Nevertheless, the month is not exclusive to famous figures and academics—women’s history incorporates all women, so it’s important to celebrate the achievements and appreciate women within your own lives, including yourself (if applicable). Whether it’s your mother, teacher, sister, or yourself, take time to remember that your life is the collective work of yourself and various other women in a fight for gender equality and the equal right to pursue economic, spiritual, and personal success for yourself!
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to highlight some books written by or about women's history;
The Second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir
An alternate perspective of existentialism through feminism and historical context, The Second Sex is a powerful piece that deconstructs social conceptions and creates an inclusive definition of what makes a “woman.” Popularly quoted from the book, “One is not born, but rather, becomes a woman.”
Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth by Warsan Shire
Delicately expressed in sexual intimacy and war motifs, Shire’s brief poetry book details the struggles of escaping international conflicts, domestic violence, racism, and exploring sexuality through the dichotomy of love and war.
Bestiary: Poems by Donika Kelly
Hidden beneath the characters of mythological beasts and animals, Kelly explores her experience of racial violence, abuse, and identity in this enthralling, reflective memoir.
Sources: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-month-history/
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