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March is Women’s History Month

Womenshistorymonth Assets Wh DiversityPurple, white and gold were the colors of the U.S. suffrage movement – standing for loyalty, purity and hope, respectively.

The month of March is set aside as a time to celebrate the many contributions of women to society and learn more about what can be done to improve gender equality. Women’s History Month is celebrated in the United States from March 1 to 31, and March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day. 

The Gender Relations Center is hosting two events in conjunction with the observances:

In addition, each March, the Office of Public Affairs and Communications produces a Women Lead feature profiling the achievements of members of the Notre Dame community.  The 2021 series focuses on women who are challenging the status quo in their respective fields.  

In a 1980 message to the nation recognizing Women’s History Week, the precursor to Women’s History Month, President Jimmy Carter wrote: “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

March 8 was officially recognized as International Women’s Day by the United Nations in 1977. International Women’s Day was birthed from labor movements in the United States and across Europe in the early 1900s as well as various efforts championing civil, social, political and religious rights for women.  

Learn more about women’s contributions to American history with a resource toolkit from National Museum of Women’s History. And find out what 12 actions the United Nations recommends to help achieve gender equality at home, at work and in the community.