B.A.F.F.L.E.D. For Ladies

Celebrate Womanhood!

Since 1911, women have been celebrated during the month of March. Recognition began with International Women's Day on March 8th, in the United States, as well as many European nations. This era marked a time of rising women's rights. They were given the right to vote and took charge in society where they had not before.

As time progressed, the Great Depression passed, the New Deal was signed and Civil Rights were emerging. During the 1970s, many universities across the U.S. began offering courses in women's history, and taught thousands about the many great things women had accomplished. By 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sanoma County Commision of the Stauts of Women began "Women's History Week" in California. The week coincided with International Women's Day and soon spread to other states.

In 1987 Congress expanded the week long celebration to the entire month of March. This extension lead to such projects as the National Women's History Project and the later opening of the National Museum of Women's History in Washington D.C. The need and purpose of Women's History Month is to raise awareness about the achievements of womankind and the progress the gender has made. It is a time to recognize the contributions of everyday and extraordinary females, both in the public eye and in our own homes.

Women have done everything from carry and birth children, to start businesses, sororities, nonprofit organizations and multimillion dollar companies. Women have taken the lead in education and corporate America, all while balancing social lives and family.

Please take some time, even past the month of March, to aknowledge the notable women in your life. Find out which ones were pivotal in the foundation of this country and who has made your personal life what it is. Feel free to share with your fellow B.A.F.F.L.E.D. readers in the Comment section below.

Check out these great resources!

National Women's Law Center

Women's History Month - U.S. Library of Congress

Women's History Month Timeline

Women's History - Discussion and Activities