Women's History Month 2024: Her-Story of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
From March 1st to the 31st, the United States celebrates the stories of remarkable women who have fought to gain the rights and freedoms they deserve. Women's History Month also allows us to look back at the past and understand how women have contributed to American history. This guide will include books, art, resources, and contextual information about women's history, so be prepared to be wowed by their incredible stories.
This year's Women's History Month theme is "Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion," which recognizes amazing women throughout history who aim to create a more positive future that eliminates bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions. Not only is this year's theme important to recognizing the contributions of women in the past, but it is critical in how we can help shape the positive outcome of women's futures.
Here are some specific ways you can celebrate Women's History Month and support women:
White is the color associated with suffragists who fought for women's right to vote.
Green represents new beginnings; Green is famous among early suffragists.
Purple is the color most recognized in women's causes as a whole. Since the early 20th century, purple has become part of the Women's History Month palette. Additionally, the color purple is used for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, which brings to life the unfortunate experiences of women across the globe.
Campus Pioneers: The First 25 Years of Women at Gonzaga, 1948 - 1973
For the first time in 1948, Gonzaga's freshmen class included women. Gonzaga's shift to a co-ed system symbolizes the growth of opportunities for female Gonzaga students. Since admission to Gonzaga, women have made amazing contributions to our campus's clubs, education, and overall culture.
If you would like to learn more about women's history at Gonzaga, please click this link, leading you to a more detailed exhibition.
The story of Women's History began in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California, when the Education Task Force of Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women brainstormed the creation of a "Women's History Week." Planned to be celebrated during the week of March 8th, the task force wanted the celebration to correspond with International Women's Day.
A local school teacher named Molly Murphy MacGregor led the weeklong celebration in Santa Rosa. Little did MacGregor know that her efforts to celebrate the contributions of women to American history, culture, education, and society would change how Americans would acknowledge women forever.
Molly Murphy MacGregor
Click here to learn more about Molly Murphy MacGregor and the origins of Women's History Month.