About Women’s History Month
Since 1981, Congress has recognized Women's History Month as a national celebration Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized the President to proclaim March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” For the next five years, Congress passed joint resolutions establishing “Women’s History Week.” As a result of a petition from the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which proclaimed March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.”
Congress passed additional resolutions between 1988 and 1994 authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. It has been a tradition since 1995 for presidents to proclaim March as "Women's History Month." The proclamations recognize the specific achievements of women over the course of American history and commemorate the contributions women have made to the country.
What Is the Significance of Women's History Month?
Each year, Women's History Month honors women and their contributions to American history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, women's history milestones span the nation's history.
Women's History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women's contributions to culture, history, and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. There were presentations at dozens of schools, an essay contest for students, and a parade in downtown Santa Rosa.
Several years later, the idea spread across communities, school districts, and organizations. The first proclamation declaring March 8 as National Women's History Week was issued by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. In the following year, Congress passed a resolution creating a national celebration. The National Women's History Project petitioned Congress six years later to extend the event to the entire month of March.
Women’s History Month Theme for 2023
Each year, the National Women's History Alliance selects a theme for Women's History Month. Women Who Tell Our Stories is the theme for 2023, which honors women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling, including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news, and social media.
To be recognized or featured for Women's History Month at NCJAR, please contact Ella Mae Gading-Delacruz, NCJAR's Communications Director, at
Let’s continue to honor the women who have made important sacrifices and contributions to society in both the past and present. #WomensHistoryMonth2023
