What’s Women’s History Month?

This year has been a growing period for me and my feminism, while sexual violence and other key feminist ideals have always been important to me, this is the first time that my base knowledge of feminism and its history has really expanded.  I read more feminist writers, follow more feminist blogs, pay more attention to anti-feminist media, and explore more feminist history.  So, imagine my surprise when I found out that March is Women’s History Month, has this always been a thing?  No, but seriously, why is this the first time I have ever heard about this?!

I mean Black History Month and Hispanic History Month have always been these big huge things, kids do projects, watch videos, and all these other things to celebrate the history of an typically silenced and oppressed population.  That is great!  We need it, especially since I have encountered people who say things like, “Why do we have a Black History Month?  White people do not have one!  Where is our White History Month?”  Seriously?! It is called every other day of the year!  That aside, I understand the need for these programs and I get their extensive promotion.

But come on!  I am almost 23 years-old and I have NEVER heard about Women’s History Month!  How is this possible?  Why was I not taught this in school?  The experience of being a woman is felt by half the population in the world, that is more common ground than any race, ethnicity, or religion.  So, why are we not pushing promotion to get people more aware of Women’s History Month?  Where are the commercials?  The historic segments on television?  Why are children not doing research projects on famous women?  Where is the outrage!?

Furthermore, March 8 was International Women’s Day, another event I did not find out about until it was too late to plan any feminist adventure.  And I’m pissed! Why isn’t this a big deal?  To me by promoting events such as Black History Month and Hispanic History Month and not Women’s History Month shows that while we see race/ethnicity as something important to discuss we, as a society, still do not see gender as something that needs to be talked about.  This is part of the larger problem!  How can we overcome gender issues if we do not even acknowledge that they exist?

So, once again my fellow feminists the brunt of the work is on our shoulders, we need to be the ones pushing for awareness.  This month be proactive!  Research innovative women, find the important women in technology, business, politics, academics, anywhere and everywhere!  Read more!  Make your own projects!  If you have children find a way to make it fun for them!  Show them women’s history is important!  Find events celebrating women in your area, if there is not one, try and hold your own!  Even sitting down with a group of friends and watching a movie directed by a woman is a step in the right direction!

So, did you know it was Women’s History Month?  Or were you as shocked as I was?  Tell me what you are doing for Women’s History Month in the comments!  Let me know if there are any fun events that I should not be missing!  I want to hear YOUR thoughts on the matter!

Happy Women’s History Month!