International Women’s Month 2023

This year, as we look back at the countless achievements of women everywhere, we are reminded and inspired of how capable we are. From the first woman to ever exist to the new baby girls born today, we are an incredible gender.

According to Today.com, what “started as Women’s Day… celebrated on Feb. 28, 1909, by… socialists and suffragists in honor of the one-year anniversary of the garment strike led by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union… In March 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin suggested that International Women’s Day be recognized as an international holiday at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen — and all 17 countries in attendance agreed. (Later) on March 18, 1911, Europeans… recognized International Women’s Day… The holiday wasn’t… celebrated in America until the United Nations recognized it in the 1970s… California created Women’s History Week… In March 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared that March 8 was officially the start of National Women’s History Week… By 1987, Congress designated March as Women’s History Month.”

Since then, every year, women of the world have been celebrated during the month of March. Each time this annual event occurs, a theme is assigned. This year’s theme is “Celebrating women who tell our stories.” The National Women’s History Alliance details this and other important information. Also, the main website for International Women’s Day is highly informative.

During this month and respective days, I encourage you to remember the women who preceded us. The challenges faced and changes bravely fought for so that we, their successors, would have the opportunities and freedom we deserve.

By Gretchen Hendrick Gardella, MLIS

Gretchen Hendrick Gardella is a Librarian with administrative, research, and vast technical skills. Ms. Gardella brings over 16 years of experience working in academic and public libraries to the discussion.