2010 Press Release

The history of women often seems to be written with invisible ink. Even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.

National Women’s History Month provides an excellent venue to recognize and celebrate women’s historic achievements as well as an opportunity to honor women within our families and communities. What will you do to celebrate National Women’s History Month?

In 1980, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation recognizing Women’s History Week. In 1987, the week was expanded to the entire month of March.

2010 will mark the 30th anniversary of this important focal celebration. To ensure nation-wide recognition of this landmark anniversary, the National Women’s History Project has launched a special 30th anniversary campaign and hundreds of organizations, institutions, and individuals have already joined the campaign.

Every year, during the month of March, hundreds of thousands of events are held throughout the country to acknowledge and recognize the amazing accomplishments of women.

This national celebration and recognition of women’s historic achievements began in 1980 when National Women’s History Week was proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation. In 1987, this national celebration was expanded by Congressional Resolution to an entire month by declaring March as National Women’s History Month.

National Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to educate the general public about the significant role of women in American history and contemporary society. Establishing this focal celebration has encouraged schools to introduce new curriculum, and communities to recognize women who have been pivotal in their own communities.

The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage girls and women to think larger and bolder and can give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience.

From girls clubs to senior centers, from amateur to professional theatre productions, from community awards ceremonies to individual guest speakers, people all across the country will be celebrating this important are using National Women’s History Month 2010 to honor this special anniversary that celebrate women’s achievements. There will be oratory contests, awards luncheons, conferences, exhibits, community service, and classroom presentations.

Has your school, community organization or workplace made a plan to recognize this important anniversary? For information and ideas contact the National Women’s History Project at nwhp@nwhp.org . Here are some examples of celebrations already planned for National Women’s History Month

• The League of Extraordinary Girl Scientists, a group of girls at Philo Junior High School in Philo, OH, will present a “Women in Science” day and show off their newly-acquired microscopes.
• The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association will hold a “Banner Raising” in Johnstown, NY to honor the legacy of their hometown daughter. The banners will fly until August, 2010 when they will celebrate the 90th anniversary of women winning the right to vote.
• The 2nd annual “Live Your Dream Art Contest” will be sponsored by Soroptimist International for students ages 4 to 18. The students are asked to draw a present-day woman who inspires them.
• Angel Island State Park in California will celebrate conservationist Caroline Livermore and other island women with an all-day hike. Livermore led the successful 15 year fight to save Angel Island from developers.
• The Florida Commission on the Status of Women will hold their annual Florida Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring women who have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and all citizens of Florida.
• The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, which handles military store operations worldwide, plans to hold their annual women’s conference in March with the theme of “Writing Your Own History.”

For more information about National Women’s History Month, visit www.nwhp.org.