Black History Month Will Never Be Enough
February 13, 2020
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March 19, 2020Women History Month Is Like Black History Month
Women History Month is like Black History Month, woefully inadequate to celebrate, let alone cover, the myriad of roles women have played and continue to play, and the countless contributions they have made and continue to make.
While Women History Month in the United States can trace its beginnings to the first International Women’s Day held in March 1911, there were no significant or annual monthly celebration until 1987.
It was President Jimmy Carter who, by Proclamation in 1980, designated March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Subsequent presidents followed suit. But, it wasn’t until 1987 that Congress passed a law designating March as Women’s History Month.
Women History Month is like Black History Month in that it has taken centuries for the significant contributions of women to be recognized at all. While there are those who would argue that one-month of recognition is better than no recognition at all, I would readily agree.
There are good things that result. There is heightened awareness, which is a great thing for little girls to see the many possibilities there are for their lives. The programs and commemorations serve as reminders to all—men, women, boys, and girls—of the abilities or women and the unswerving respect they deserve.
Women History Month Is Like Black History Month. Photo Credit: Rawpixel
But Women History Month is like Black History Month in that we often find the same names and faces remembered, honored, exhibited, and discussed in classrooms and community programs year after year. What about all those other women who go unrecognized?
Women, like blacks, have made and continue to make significant contributions, generations after generations to American and world history. They continue to do so in every aspect of our daily lives, beginning with the priceless, irreplaceable role of motherhood. And it expands in every direction from there.
In 2020, there are very few areas, professions, or important roles in our society that women are not fulfilling, and fulfilling them as well as men. But, is it being captured in the history books and taught as part of American history as it rightfully should?
Women History Month, most importantly, is stark evidence that we must continue to work for the day that there will be no need to set aside a month to recognize that women are an integral and inseparable part of American history.
Our roles and contributions should be interwoven in every aspect of the American story, and should be taught, and spoken about at every opportunity.
Feature Photo Credit: Rawpixel Ltd
20 Comments
This is an encouraging message for all women, I agree with the text that currently there are still women leaders who have not been publicly highlighted their work, it is not necessary to reach the international month to value the existence of women, this it is a role worth admiring.
Women history month is novel to me but its a good thing..The good thing about it is that new generations will learn about the old heroes that i tag “sheroes”.. This will make them appreciate those people and will also push them to do something that will shape the society positively.its good to celebrate these amazing women because of there huge contribution to the society..the black woman has done a lot to build our society and we should not allow this contributions to go unnoticed..
Great comments, Michael. Well said!!
First time to hear of Women History Month and I’m so inspired by this great idea. I feel like women are not given as much credit as they deserve.
Hear, Hear, Judith!!
I support this part of your article that Women History Month is like Black History Month in that we often find the same names and faces remembered, honored, exhibited, and discussed in classrooms and community programs year after year. What about all those other women who go unrecognized?. Everyone should be made to be recognized. Thanks for this information packed article on women’s day.
I do agree with you. It should not be on a certain moment. It should be in each moment.
Though one-month of recognition is better than no recognition at all considering the type of world we are now. But seriously woman really needs more recognition and I pray ot comes to past. Happy woman’s month
Women, like blacks, have made and continue to make significant contributions, generations after generations to American and world history. This is a fact and every woman should know that they are important to the world at large. Never underestimate yourself, you are more important than just in the kitchen and bedroom.
All women should be treated fairly. Women should empower one another.
Yes women are the new men now. What men can do women can do it better and women always do all things with passion and with heart. I agree that history serves a big contribution to our lives like women do. Nice read! More to come.
Whoaaaa let’s slow down here. I respect women and definitely believe that they deserve to get their shine, but women are not men or the new men or whatever. Let just set that straight now. Let a woman be a woman and a man be a man.
Thank you, Derrick! Well said!!
There are so many reasons as to why women should be celebrated. Acknowledging this Women History Month is a milestone towards empowering the woman.
Especially for young girls. Thank you, Malia!
Well I guess that is the case and that is okay with me. Personally though I do not need a month to say or to recognize women because in my opinion we all have our own strength and weaknesses. We have our own roles to fill. Women’s month or not women are to be respected and have its place in society.
Well said, Alex!
I agree, history is like a long line of time that gets thicker according to what we humans do. I wish more women get recognized by thier actions and become part of the story. Maybe we can cahnge it from home teaching to our kids the value of people actions, respet and how the differences are only in our minds cause of our believes but we can change that.
To accept the notion that there is such a thing as Women’s History is to unwittingly spread the trope that there is such a thing as a separate history for women that needs special attention. Whenever we agree to celebrate women’s history during a month, a week, a day, or even a single minute, we are merely advancing the achievements and accomplishments of women as an appendix to American History rather than it being an integral and indivisible part of American History. Historical apartheid is something we as Americans should rail against at every turn because all we are doing is being complicit in infecting our discourse with the tacit idea that discrimination and bigotry are alive and well in America. When we focus on American equality of opportunity and truly buy into this idea, there will be no need to create a special category for race or gender in history or anything else. Enough already!
Thank you, Willie! So well and poignantly stated!!