Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Family DePoister. Family DePoister Wonders, “Why was women's history month created” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Family DePoister!

History has rarely featured women. Few texts used in education cover women’s history. Women have helped build nations. Their input and actions have been just as important as men’s. Let’s Wonder today about how and why we celebrate women’s history!

Before the mid-1850s, women could not vote or own property. They wanted rights as their own people rather than as dependents of men. So, they protested. Very few openings existed for women to work outside the home. Most women could not go to college.

There are many stories about when and how people started to honor National Women’s Day. Socialists in the U.S. may have begun the holiday. February 28, 1909 honored female garment workers who protested for better work conditions.

Countries like Russia and Denmark observed their own Women’s Days in the early 1900s. They and several European countries honored women. Women pushed for more rights. Those women also wanted to vote and to have greater equality.

With passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, white women were given the right to vote. It wasn't until 1964 that all women, regardless of race, were able to vote. Women and supporters began pushing in 1923 for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA stated that there could be no discrimination based on gender. The Senate didn’t approve the ERA until March 1972. Not enough states passed the ERA until 2020. That was too far past the 1982 deadline for it to become the 28th amendment.

In 1977, the United Nations resolved for March 8 to be International Women’s Day. The next year, the city of Santa Rosa, California, began celebrating Women’s History Week. The U.S. declared the week of March 7, 1982, to be Women’s History Week.

U.S. government passed a law in 1987 marking each March as Women’s History Month. Every year since the 1980s, presidential decrees call for the celebration of women in society. Each year has a theme.

The 2023 theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Story.” The month will revere women writers, storytellers, and artists. The month honors women who promote heritage. In the past women suffragists, caregivers, public and business leaders, and many others were honored.

Women around the world still fight for equality. Women’s History Month brings attention to people breaking barriers. Profiles of heroes in science, music, art, and many other fields show how important women are.  

Do you know about a woman who has contributed to make the world a better place? Would you like to make your own mark and become part of women’s history? There are so many great examples to follow and new trails to blaze!

Standards: CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.9, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.4, CCRA.L.5, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.W.6, CCRA.W.8

Wonder What's Next?

Can a dog be a bookworm? Find out in tomorrow's Wonder of the Day!