Women’s History Month is an annual observance held in the United States during March to celebrate and commemorate the important role women have played throughout America’s history.
The origin of Women’s History Month dates back to 1978 in Santa Rosa, California, when the Education Task Force of Sonoma Country Commission on the Status of Women planned a Women's History Week celebration during the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement would later spread nationwide, with other communities creating celebrations.
In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, then-President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8, 1980, National Women’s History Week.
Subsequent presidents proclaimed a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as Women’s History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating March as Women’s History Month.
Indiana University proudly supports Women’s History Month and the women who have contributed their time and talents to shape IU and local, state, regional, national and international communities.
“Women have and continue to play a pivotal role in shaping IU, as well as the world at large,” says James C. Wimbush, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. “The many activities planned across IU's campuses are designed to showcase these individuals and their important work and contributions throughout IU’s history.”
Indeed, throughout IU’s 200-plus years, women have been groundbreaking researchers, influential administrators, presidents, renowned artists and cornerstones of the campus community. Visit the Women of IU Portrait Collection to learn about the contributions of women to IU’s past, present and future. This diverse and unique collection showcases the compelling stories of influence by many IU women, including the first female trustee, the first female Nobel Prize winner in economic science and the first female African American student. The collection is continually expanding, with additional portraits being added.
Students, faculty and others can celebrate Women’s History Month in 2024 in many ways. Visit diversity.iu.edu for ideas and events.iu.edu to learn about events across IU’s campuses.
In addition, campus community members can access various digital tools, including Zoom backgrounds, social profile images and a Snapchat filter to further support Women’s History Month.