Celebrate! Today is the first day of Women’s History Month, which spans back to the 1980s in US history. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that. Not because I myself am a woman but because their has been so many women through the decades of time that have paved the way and made an impactful difference throughout history.
Largely, Women’s History Month with a call-out on International Women’s Day, which is on March 8th, came into existence because thousands of women who were degraded, mistreated, paid unfair wages, and no voice decided to become empowered and fight for better conditions, labor laws, and the right to vote. There have been many struggles and sacrifices from women of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
Women’s History Month did not start out as being recognized for an entire month. No, it actually started out as being recognized for a day, it later grew into a week and then a whole month. Wow, what progression. When a movement takes place across nations, it allows the voice of empowerment to lead the way. This empowerment that steadfast women took up decades ago still exists by many women that are still fighting for women’s rights to this day in feminist movements.
Today I want to take this opportunity to give thanks to the women that made grave and courageous sacrifices. I would like to give tribute to the women that trotted against a beaten path and to those still trying to achieve a better future for today’s world. There are women rallying for you that may not be nationally recognized or receive a medal, that does not disparage the work that is being done. Let’s empower each other. Let’s help each other get to a place to break down barriers. The women that are in your lives that are just ordinary loved ones to you, have made a difference and made sacrifices for you and your family. These women which may happen to be a mother, sister, friend, grandmother, aunt, god-parent, or guardian, have made some type of positive impact in your life that has pushed you to become your greater self. There are nationally acclaimed women such as Vice President, Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris is the first female, serving as the 49th Vice President in the United States history. The first in history to be made and more to look forward to.
Here are some ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month
- Awareness: Research the history of women’s rights.
- Support, Support, Support: Support a women’s non-profit organization.
- Virtual Girl’s Day: Watch a movie that was directed or has female leads. Might I suggest Suffragette, which is a “2015 film which recently came to Netflix, shows working class women’s struggle for voting rights….”
- EMPOWER: Share or post an empowering women’s quote. Have a look at mines.
- Female Entrepreneur: Support businesses owned by women.
- Uplift: Acknowledge another woman on how they have inspired you or propelled you in an area of your life. Speak kindness to each other.
- Self-love: This is my favorite. Write a note to yourself, acknowledging 8 things that make you great. You can do it because you are GR8AT!
- LEAD FOR CHANGE: Consider a mentorship for another girl.
- Volunteer: Join a women’s club, book club, volunteer at a women’s shelter, support an organization to help women and children.
What’s your empowering quote? Here’s mine.
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
-Maya Angelou