"As Dr. Gerda Lerner has noted, “Women’s History is Women’s Right.” – It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.” (President Jimmy Carter)
Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued a series of proclamations declaring March "Women's History Month" to recognize the contributions of women in our history. Earlier celebrations included “National Women History Week” starting in 1979 and spread throughout the country. From 1981 to 1987 Congress passed resolutions declaring a week in March as “National Women’s History Week”, and finally in 1988 Congress began authorizing the president to designate the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.
Today, Women’s History Month continues to be a celebration of the women’s accomplishments and contributions in history. This year’s display focuses on the amazing women in medicine, the arts, activism, and STEM.
This guide, and the accompanying physical display in Bird Library, was curated by first-year graduate student Amanda Buettner (MLIS candidate, School of Information Studies). Amanda works in the Libraries' Department of Research and Scholarship with our collections team.