The month of March denotes Women’s History Month, in which the accomplishments, history and contributions of women to today’s society are recognized. The international holiday was established as a result of the pressure and activism of numerous groups.
Initially, the celebration emerged in 1978 as Women’s History Week became the week of Mar. 8, organized by the Sonoma County Commission’s Education Task Force. The idea spread rapidly throughout the United States, as additional states began honoring women’s history just a year later. Likewise, Congress officially declared March as Women’s History Month in 1987 by authorizing Public Law 100-9. Today, the celebration is acclaimed internationally by other countries including Australia, the United Kingdom and China.
States and countries around the world all commemorate the holiday through various arrangements including television specials, inspirational speakers and political speeches. However, Montgomery County and local communities host their own unique means of honoring the month that residents could take advantage of.
Multiple locations of the Montgomery County Public Libraries organized various events in honor of Women’s History Month. The Potomac Library exhibited the film Hidden Figures on Mar. 2 at 2 P.M. This top-grossing film has been nominated for three Oscars and is a family-friendly event for community members. There was also a virtual opportunity to meet local female authors Claudia Kousoulas and Ellen Letourneau, who wrote the book A Culinary History of Montgomery County, Maryland, and female cookbook writers Elizabeth Ellicott Lea and Maria Brooke Watkins. The virtual meet-and-greet discussed the authors’ personal lives and more information on their books.
“I think that showing the Hidden Figures film is a great way to empower young girls,” Richard Montgomery High School social studies teacher Mr. John Pearce said. “It’s an extremely powerful movie.”
The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, hosts museums with exhibits as a tribute to Women’s History Month. The National Museum of Asian Art of D.C. offers docent-led tours to female artists in their collection and their backdrops. The exhibit is called “Women of the Freer,” in which interactive family activities, presentations, and productions will be executed. Individuals had opportunities to visit the museum on dates ranging from Mar. 13 to 31. Furthermore, the National Museum of the American Indian hosted a program containing the “Youth in Action: Conversations about Our Future” series. Lectures will consist of “how young Indigenous women are forging their own paths in the tech world and creating a more inclusive environment.”
Additionally, the Montgomery County Commission for Women hosted their annual Girl Power Writing Contest, open to all Montgomery County residents from Mar. 1 to 31. Participants are judged according to originality and their writing in relation to this year’s theme—inequities that prevail for females and how individuals can break these barriers down. The Commission will select one winner for each section of elementary, middle, high school and adult submissions. Winning entries will be displayed on the organization’s website and winners will be presented with a women’s swag bag. Awards of the contest will be announced no later than April 30.
Students across the country are elated by the attempts to recognize the accomplishments of young women.
“I’m thrilled that Montgomery County is making all these efforts to celebrate Women’s History Month. It fills me with hope and anticipation for the future,” RMHS junior Claire Xu said.
RMHS junior Shrusti Amula agrees. “I think it’s really important that Montgomery County is hosting these events,” she said. “Especially because of all the setbacks the United States has faced in regards to women’s rights, including educational and economic inequalities.”
Written by Ellie Noh of Richard Montgomery High School
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons