Significance and Suggestions for Women's History Month

This assignment discusses the relevance of Women's History Month, its origins, and the need to redefine its execution mechanism. It highlights the importance of celebrating women's history to respect womanhood, acknowledge unacknowledged women who have made history, and empower them for a life of justice and equality.

ENGLISH 100

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
HISTORY........................................................................................................................................1
PURPOSE........................................................................................................................................1
CONSEQUENCES..........................................................................................................................2
ARGUMENTS................................................................................................................................2
SIGNIFICANCE AND SUGGESTIONS........................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
For centuries the role and position of the women has been neglected and underestimated
in the male dominating societies. It has been assumed by societies that feminism is associated
with only softness and they do not have superiority over men. This is the main reason that
women are objectified and their contribution is not recognised. For recognising and highlighting
the role and significance of women in historical events and contemporary society every year
Women's history month is celebrated in United States (Geiger and Parker, 2018). The report will
discuss the different aspects and significance of this month.
HISTORY
Women's history month is celebrated in the month of March in United States. The entire
month is dedicated to honour the achievements of women. Contrary to the present situations the
history was not very favourable for the women and their contributions were never given attention
and respect. The labour and socialist movement established the roots for celebratory month. In
1908, thousands of women marched from lower Manhattan to Union square for demanding equal
economic rights for garment workers.
To honour this event in 1909, first women's day was celebrated in New York. The event
was conducted by Socialist party. Meanwhile, various feminist raise their voices against the way
in which history books discarded the role of women. As a result of this in 1970 school
curriculum were revised as per National Women's History Project which laid the foundation of
concept of 'Women's history week'. The celebrations soon got popularity in various colleges and
schools in US. In 1980 after realising the popularity and significance of the event first 'Women's
history month' was proclaimed by US president for March 2-8 (Why We Celebrate Women's
History Month, 2019). Later further proclamations were announced for 'Women's history week'
but in various regions of US week events were already extended for entire month. Till now
annual proclamations are passed by the US presidents along with theme. For instance for 2018
the theme was “Nevertheless, She persisted” so that women can be given respect and equal
rights.
PURPOSE
The purpose of 'Women's history month' is to honour and celebrate the success of women
and the struggles which they have experienced worldwide. Before the advent of 1970 history of
women's was not considered as the study subject. However, the larger movements were
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influenced and transformed significantly by the history of women's. Thus, initially a week was
dedicated to pay tribute to those women fighters who sacrificed their lives for the women's rights
and other social and historical cause. Gradually the week was extended into months so that
greater rights and recognition for women can be continued and negligence is not repeated.
Another significant purpose for celebration of this month is to inspire the women who are
suppressed and are not given right to live with dignity or equal rights (Kerber, 2017). For
instance the month is an inspiration to the young women so that they can raise their concern over
the serious issues faced by their generation.
CONSEQUENCES
'Women's history month' have lead to very essential and serious consequences which
reforms not only United states but the entire world. Taking the inspiration from the 'Women's
history week' the event is expanded at international level in the form of International women's
day by United Nations. Every year in the 'Women's history month' achievements of women are
recognised and awarded. The history month is a motivation to several women's around the world
so that they can raise their voice against injustice. The most influential impact created by this
month is that it had created awareness among women that they deserve equal rights and respects.
As a result, a vast number of women's raise their voice against injustice (Epp and Iacovetta,
2016).
There has been several examples of women's who fought bravely against society, state
and government just to seek the rights which they deserve. Earlier in the history women were not
given rights to equally participate in the social issues or to take decisions which completely
belongs to them. However, 'Women's history month' and similar events which supports women
encourages the infrastructure to support women's who need help and to give them strength so
that they can raise their concern. For instance currently the women's are strong enough to take
the decisions such as abortion or other issues which are critical for women's such as sexual abuse
or human trafficking.
ARGUMENTS
It was very essential to establish the 'Women's history month'. Such events are not only
for appreciating the role of women's in society but also for making every one understand that
women's are not merely objects. In order to assure that their rights and interests are not
compromised or neglected there is need of such event. However, many social groups argue that
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there will be no benefits of conducting such events because mere appreciation of women's cannot
bring changes to the pathetic condition of women. For instance still in many regions women are
not educated or provided equal rights. Thus instead of these types of fancy event emphasis must
be laid on making women aware so that they can become capable to raise their voice against
injustice faced by them. It has been also argued that these events are very beneficial as they give
a chance to all the women's so that they can explore their limits and powers. However, there is
need to redefine the execution mechanism for 'Women's history month' (Ware, 2015). For
example instead of organising celebration events interaction sessions must be conducted with the
women's who need support so that their issues can be identified. It will help to analyse the key
concerns of women who are often neglected and suppressed due to the lack of majority or
authorised support.
SIGNIFICANCE AND SUGGESTIONS
As note this was started in 1987 after declaration by Congress that March will be
regarded to as Women History Month. So there are reasons why it is important for world to
celebrate the women history month which is mainly for respecting womanhood. One of the main
reason behind this could be number of unacknowledged women who have made history but
certainly few of them are known to world (5 Reasons Women's History Month Is Important,
2019). It is very relevant that women are always been discredited and overlooked by men
compatriots. Women like that of Marie Curie and Sally Ride it is essential that they should be
allowed to open up themselves to world. They were also not allowed to create history for much
longer time as they are left out of discussion except when they were phenomenally powerful.
CONCLUSION
Thus it could be concluded that it is very much essential that they are allowed to view
societal shift through their own lens like what does World Wars meant for them. It could be
include that people only idolise men but they have also women have won Nobel Prize. So it is
very much important to celebrate women history month which will help them for empowering
them and leading life of justice and equality.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Geiger, A.B.I.G.A.I.L. and Parker, K., 2018. For Women’s History Month, a look at gender
gains–and gaps–in the US. Pew Research Center.• Horowitz, Juliana.(2017).“Wide
Partisan Gaps in US Over How Far the Country Has Come on Gender Equality.” Pew
Research Center.• Patten, Eileen.(2016).“Racial, Gender Wage Gaps Persist in US
Despite Some Progress.” Pew Research Center.
Ware, V., 2015. Beyond the pale: White women, racism, and history. Verso Books.
Epp, M. and Iacovetta, F. eds., 2016. Sisters or strangers?: immigrant, ethnic, and racialized
women in Canadian history. University of Toronto Press.
Kerber, L.K., 2017. Toward an Intellectual History of Women: Essays by Linda K. Kerber. UNC
Press Books.
Online
Why We Celebrate Women's History Month. 2019. [Online]. Accessed through
<https://www.thoughtco.com/womens-history-month-3530805>
5 Reasons Women's History Month Is Important. 2019. [Online]. Accessed through
<https://www.bustle.com/articles/148536-5-reasons-womens-history-month-is-
important>
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