In 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 designating the month of March as Women's History Month. This year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”, expanding our understanding of sustainability beyond just environmental concerns. Whether developing green technologies, advancing economic justice, strengthening education systems, or building civic power – women are designing blueprints for sustainable transformation.
Some examples of women shaping a sustainable future include:
- Indra Nooyi, the first woman of color and first immigrant to head a Fortune 50 company.
- Kati Karikó, the medical researcher who proved that mRNA vaccines were possible and paved the way for the vaccines to end the Covid-19 Pandemic.
- Winona LaDuke, a Native American activist, economist, and author, who advocates for Indigenous control of their homelands, natural resources, and cultural practices.
- Stacey Abrams, American politician and lawyer, who advocates for voter rights and accessibility.
- Eleanor Holmes Norton, the first woman appointed to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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.
Library Programs
As part of our celebration of Women's History Month, join us on Thursday, April 2nd, at 11 am, for our virtual author talk with Valerie Neal, discussing her new book, On a Mission, tracing the 45-year history of women astronauts
For more events related to Women's History Month, including craft hours and book discussions, please check our events page.
How to choose children's books for fiction or nonfiction: 1. JE is Juvenile Easy. These books are best for Grades K to 3. 2. J is Juvenile middle grades. These books are best for Grades 3-6. 3. J/ is Juvenile middle school. These books are best for Grades 6-8.
