Women’s History Month is a month of celebration for women who have contributed to society. We honor the role they have played in shaping the world we live in, by being astounding role models for feminism. 

This tradition started in 1982 and was originally designated as “Women’s History Week,” but later petitioned by National Women’s History Project to become a month-long event. This month honors people like Rosa Parks for standing up to racial injustice and Susan B. Anthony for fighting for women’s right to vote. 

The National Women’s History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women’s History Month. For 2023, the theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” The NWHA says this is about the “recognition of women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news, and social media.” This theme recognizes women who made strides in multiple forms of media to tell their stories and trailblaze the way for change. 

Here is quick spotlight for some of the most iconic women in history: 

Ida B. Wells was an African American investigative journalist, feminist, and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. She is best known for leading an anti-lynching crusade and used the power of storytelling to raise awareness to the madness and horror of Jim Crow Laws. She was also a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Alpha Suffrage Club, the first ever black women’s suffrage group. 

Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and social activist. She was enslaved, escaped, and went back to help others gain their freedom as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad. She was also a dedicated supporter of women’s voting rights and gave many speeches on the subject. One of her most famous quotes is “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” 

Ruth Bader Ginsberg inspired generations of women to fight back against gender roles. After facing gender discrimination as she worked towards her academic goals, she became the first ever Jewish woman to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. She advocated fiercely for gender equality even at the ripe old age of 86. “I didn’t change the Constitution; the equality principle was there from the start. I just was an advocate for seeing its full realization.” 

Susan B. Anthony paved the way for the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. She played a pivotal role in women’s suffrage by protesting unfair regulations and forming The National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. “No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent.” 

These are only a few of the outstanding women who have put their heart and soul into making change. I encourage you to listen to more stories like these and support women during this month. Let us come together and celebrate these amazing accomplishments that make progress on the path of change.