A month dedicated to the hard workers and history makers
How It Started:
In 1981, Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized the president to proclaim one week, starting March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. This continued until 1987. After being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Women’s History Month was officially established in 1987. Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the Month of March as Woman’s History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions that authorized the President to proclaim every March Women’s History Month.
What is Women’s History Month All About:
Women’s History Month is a month that is dedicated to recognize and appreciate achievements made by women. Whether it be science, literature, or music, women have been trailblazers in all ways. This month helps to honor women’s contributions to America.
Woman Who Made a Difference:
#1 Marie Curie (1867-1934)
Marie Curie was a Polish scientist and woman who made revolutionary discoveries that would affect science for the rest of history. She was born in Warsaw, a city in Poland. After having to relocate to France, she would meet her husband Pierre. He was also a scientist and together, they would build on work by previous scientists and made such impactful discoveries that would lead to them earning a Nobel Prize in 1903. Her remarkable discoveries would eventually lead to her earning another Nobel Prize in 1911. What are these discoveries? She went on to discover something called radioactivity. She would also go to discover two new chemicals, polonium and radium. Through her revolutionary work, scientists were able to create better X-rays and even radiotherapy, a treatment for certain illnesses. All of these life-changing discoveries would have never been made possible without the genius mind of Marie Curie.
#2 Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997)
Mother Teresa was born as a Catholic who later became a nun. From the age of 12, she decided that she wanted to work in India to spread the Christian message and help the underprivileged. She worked primarily in the city of Kolkata. While she worked there, she began a movement called Missionaries of Charity. The group has now helped thousands of people in over 90 countries around the world that are struggling with poverty. In 1979, she received a Nobel Peace Prize for her work for humanity. And in 2016, she made such an impact that she was officially named a saint. Without her compassionate heart, the lives of thousands would not be the same
#3. Oprah Winfrey: 1954 – present day
Oprah Winfrey came to her claim to fame in 1986 with the “Oprah Winfrey Show”. The show ran for 25 years before she turned her success into the “Oprah Winfrey Network.” Through her success, she has become a worldwide phenomenon. From interviews to award shows, she shows that there’s nothing that women can’t do.
Why Woman’s History Month is Important:
Throughout history, women have been long overdue to take credit for their success. Women’s History Month allows people to discover the amazing achievements that women have done. Whether it is television, fashion, entertainment, and humanities, women have achieved in so many different areas, this month allows everyone to learn the amazing things that women have accomplished.
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