Women's History Month

When I started working on women's history about thirty years ago, the field did not exist. People didn't think that women had a history worth knowing.

—Gerda Lerner, Women and History (1986; 1993)

Thanks to our fore mothers who helped shape our history women today are no longer invisible in historical texts. Today there is a growing number of women that are being part of society by entering the work force and helping people. Women today are given the opportunities to get paid for their work, vote for their leaders, and be official citizens of the United States.

In the 1920s millions of American women were given the right to vote 

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified allowing women the right to vote and for the first time, like men, have the responsibilities of a citizen. Additionally, in the 1920s the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor was formed to collect information and ensure the safety of women in the work force.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a whole week dedicated to women. Later it evolved to the whole month of March. There has been much progress in regards to women’s rights and movements in the United States.  

Maybe it started with the “We Can Do It” campaign; during World War II women were vital and recruited in order to keep the United States economy running. Public campaigns were held everywhere encouraging women who never held a job before to enter the workforce. This incorporated the feminist ideals that we have today. Roise Riveter dressed in overalls and a bandanna represented the symbol a strong patriotic woman. 

However, the campaign for women’s suffrage began before the civil war. The idea of having a “true” woman was one that is exclusively at home, a submissive wife, and cares for the children has transformed. Today there are many women world leaders that are looked up to everyday for their charisma and outcome. From politicians to movie stars and corporate workers, a woman’s role in society today is evolving to something other than just male dominance. In addition, women veterans equal 10% of 22 million veterans.  

Just as history was made, we also need to remember that we can still make history.

PRESIDENTS DAY

(February 23 2015) 

"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen" –Henry Lee

Henry Lee gave this eulogy after George Washington passed away in 1799; the District of Columbia had continued to unofficially celebrate Washington’s birthday ever since in order to commemorate one of the greatest leaders in United States history. Around 1885, the United States as a whole recognized Washington’s Birthday as a day of remembrance.  Later in 1971, this day was turned into a Uniform Monday Holiday Act giving Americans a reason for a three-day-weekend along with Columbus Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. 

George Washington was not only the first president of the United States he was also the first individual turned into a national holiday allowing the nation to take part of a three-day weekend (Martin Luther Kind Jr. was the second). 

Washington and Lincoln are both perceived as part of America’s most recognized leaders and therefore their day of remembrance is called by the actual president’s name to celebrate. In some states, like Illinois, Lincoln’s birthday was also celebrated giving equal support to two American presidents.  Today we all celebrate Presidents’ Day in order to honor all the presidents that have served the United States.

Presidents’ Day is a very patriotic and historical holiday in the United States.

Fun Fact: The holiday never actually falls onto any American presidents’ birthdays.