Women of the World

RHS+young+women+at+a+Younglife+camp%21+They+are+learning+to+take+on+any+challenge+that+is+ahead+of+them.+Photo+credit%3A+Alli+Wiggins

RHS young women at a Younglife camp! They are learning to take on any challenge that is ahead of them. Photo credit: Alli Wiggins

Alexandra Wiggins

For centuries, the idea of women’s roles in society have changed drastically. There were times where women had barely any control over their own lives socially, politically, and even economically. They could hardly go anywhere without their husband as their companion, asking for permission to do normal, daily, things. Society for women really started changing during the largest and only international world wars, known as World Wars I and II. They started working for the men while they were at war taking up jobs that were one-gender dominated to begin with. Meghan Soriano (11) mentions, “Women have made a big impact on the world through many different things like influencing Civil Rights, Education, and politics throughout the world.”  This ramped up the powerful ideas and influence of women’s success, through ideas like “Flapper women” and “Rosie the Riveter”. 

 

Women’s History Month was first brought to the public’s eyes in 1981 when Congress passed a publication which stated that that beginning March 7, 1982, the President should recognize this week as “Women’s History Week”. Over the next few years, Congress passed more publications and bills to recognize women eventually leading to the creation of Women’s History Month in 1987. Ever since this year, this month has been celebrated in recognition of all of the accomplishments that women have made so far in a variety of fields. International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and was fully established as a holiday in 1911. Therefore, before the whole month was brought into consideration, a day was already established. With every new year, there is a certain theme for each Women’s History Month, “… this year’s theme is a continuation of 2020’s, which is Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced”, according to Andrea Wurzburger, writer at People Magazine. 

 

Across the globe, there are many different resources to reach out to for the recognition of women during this special month of March. There are many feminist authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Roxanne Gay, and Margaret Atwood. Reading feminist books by these authors will help educate people on the powerful pasts and present of women. Many populations have internationally participated in political advocacy and protests, either starting their own or joining organizations, such as the National Organization for Women, founded in 1966. Even doing things as simple as writing a letter to a loved one, a mother, grandmother, or aunt. As well as studying issues that women still face today, such as the important topics of sexual assault, body-shaming, or gender and racial inequality. Even though March is over, these ideas are available for next Women’s History Month. People can also celebrate the successes and importance of women throughout the year, not just in the month of March. 

The United States has had a large impact on women’s strength in society, culture, and even politics through the election of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 election. This gives hope to women in the world, exclaiming that power is not limited, it is unbounded. 

 

Even in the halls of RHS, it is important to recognize the work that women have put in for society. Some things, especially in school settings, wouldn’t be the way they are today without the help of women. That is why it is vastly important to celebrate Women’s History Month. Grace Jones (11) explains her feelings about its importance, “It is time to stand up and recognize that there were brilliant women who helped out with humanity long ago. And, there are brilliant women working now to make society a stronger place.” Once people realize the history of women and what they have accomplished, the world will never be the same. With women, society can only get stronger.