Women’s History Month article

Women’s History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. American women have struggled throughout our history to gain rights not simply for themselves but for many other underrepresented and disenfranchised groups in America.

Women’s History Month had its origins in 1981 when Congress passed a public law which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week". As requested by Congress, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 4903 proclaiming the week beginning on March 7, 1982 as the first "Women’s History Week" and recognizing the vital role of women in American history.

Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as "Women’s History Week" and authorizing the President to issue a proclamation to inform the country of this recognition and urge the people to study the contributions of women to U.S. history. In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed another law which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” This law requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and ceremonies. President Reagan then issued Presidential Proclamation 5619 proclaiming March 1987 as "Women’s History Month" and calling upon all Americans to mark the month with observances to honor the achievements of American women. 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, Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump and most recently Biden have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

Since many of the women's suffrage centennial celebrations originally scheduled for 2020 were curtailed, the National Women's History Alliance is extending the annual theme for 2021 to "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.”

(Sources: Wikipedia, National Library of Congress, The White House)

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Women's History Month In The Atlanta Area

The following are a few of the notable events tied to Women’s History Month. You should also Google “women's history month 2021 events Atlanta” for new and updated listings of other activities and seminars around metro Atlanta.

Atlanta History Center’s Special Exhibition: “Any Great Change: The Centennial of the 19th Amendment”

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/exhibitions/any-great-change-the-centennial-of-the-19th-amendment/

Commemorating the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (August 1920) the exhibition Any Great Change documents how women gained the vote and the ways they have used political power over the last century. That impact includes Georgia women and their role in politics both as elected officials and organizers.

The exhibition explores the decades-long struggle for women’s suffrage as well as the key groups, their strategies, and their leaders, including Emily C. MacDougald and her daughter, Emily Inman, owner of Swan House. MacDougald was president of the Equal Suffrage Party of Georgia and Inman participated in Atlanta suffrage parades.

The ongoing exhibition is included in the History Center’s general admission ticket, which range from $9.80 to $23.41 depending on age. Go to https://buytickets.atlantahistorycenter.com/WebStore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=AHCCG&C=TKTCAT for more information.

Choose to Challenge: A Conversation on Overcoming Barriers

https://atlantawomen.org/what-you-can-do/womens-history-month/

Wednesday, March 10
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Hosted on Zoom

A virtual conversation with Former First Lady of Atlanta and NPR personality Valerie Jackson and her daughter Alexandra Jackson, an international singer, musician, music instructor and self-esteem advocate. Valerie and Alexandra will be interviewed by WABE 90.1’s Rose Scott.

This event is free, but registration on Zoom is required.

Women’s History Month Celebration

https://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/event/womens-history-month-celebration-2/

Saturday, March 13
9:30 am – 5:00 pm

The Southern Museum
2829 Cherokee Street Northwest
Kennesaw, GA 30144

The Southern Museum commemorates Women’s History Month in March. A special family guide will be available throughout the month so visitors can explore the role women played in the Civil War and locomotive history. On March 13, the Museum will have an all-day celebration featuring educational presentations and activities highlighting the historical achievements of women. 

Atlanta Parent Magazine: “Must-Read Kids’ Books for Women’s History Month”

https://www.atlantaparent.com/6-must-read-kids-books-womens-history-month/

Women’s History Month is also a time to inspire a new generation of young women. As parents, we may have good intentions of educating our children about these important figures, but it’s a daunting task. After all, there are so many amazing women. Atlanta Parent has simplified this complex topic with six kid-friendly books that feature strong, successful women. Spoiler alert: boys will like them too.