Women's History Month originally started as Women's History Week in Santa Rosa, CA as a small local celebration that quickly spread across the country. It was set during the week of March 8th to coincide with International Women's Day. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter was the first president to an official proclamation declaring the week of March 8th National Women's Week. It remained only a week long celebration until 1987 when Congress passed a law designating March Women's History Month. Ever since the President has issued an annual proclamation declaring March Women's History Month. March is a month where the often overlooked contribution of women in American History are highlighted.
As President Jimmy Carter said in his message designating the first National Women's History Week,
"Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who build America was as vital as that of the men whose manes we know so well."
Viterbo DEI is sponsoring a presentation of "Unbought" a music theatre production with music drawn from classical, jazz, and popular works by African American composers presenting the dramatic stories of three African American women: Ida B. Wells, Shirley Chisholm, and Sally Hemings.
Check out the digital resources below for more on these women.
Political pioneer of the press : Ida B. Wells-Barnett and her transnational crusade for social justice by VIDEOS:
March is a busy month. Women's History Month is just one of the observances happening this month.
Check out past displays to find information on:
