In 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 designating the month of March as Women's History Month. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” It is a time to recognize the historical achievements women have made to help advance us. The work women have contributed to our society has improved our lives in tech, fashion, medicine, science, activism and more.
Some examples of women being innovative:
- Lucille Ball was the first woman to own a major studio.
- Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to Congress.
- Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie, also known as Marie Curie, was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes.
- Francoise Barre-Sinoussi won the Nobel Prize for her discovery of HIV as the cause of AIDS.
- Anandibai Gopal Joshi was one of the first female physicians in the U.S.
- Sally Ride became the first woman to travel to space.
- Rachel Balkovec is the first woman to manage an affiliated baseball team.
- Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Egypt.
- Margaret Sanger originated the term “birth control” and lobbied the FDA to approve the first oral contraceptive.
To learn more about notable women in history and the origins of Women's History Month, check out Biography (Gale in Context) and U.S. History (Gale in Context) for a wealth of primary and secondary sources.
As part of our celebration of Women's History Month, join us on Sunday, March 2nd, at 2 pm, for an exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role with progressing NASA's missions with NASA Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Natasha Schatzman.
Or join us Monday, March 10th at 10 am, for a moderately-paced hike (approximately 4 miles, 600 feet of climbing) with Docent Naturalists Nancy Weintraub, Marie Faust Evitt, Sabra Abraham, and Lindsay Joye, along the partially shaded Mount Umunhum Trail. Registration is required.
For more events related to Women's History Month, please check our events page.
For more fascinating stories, check out our book lists for Adults and Kids.
Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and learn about the many achievements of women. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” The underestimation of women has led to innovations in science, medicine, and culture. May these stories provide a foundation for unity and inspiration.
Explore these kid titles and learn about women's history through the lives of these amazing women.
