Women have been making history since the dawn of civilization, making major contributions in every field of human endeavor. This March, we're celebrating Women's History Month, not just in the United States but, in many parts of the world; a time to celebrate women past and present who have made significant contributions to history. 

A Bit of Story Behind Women's History Month

In California, The Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women declared the celebration of Women's History Week in March 1978. This task force was charged with planning and executing a week-long event that celebrated the contributions of women to society and culture. The event evolved into a national celebration.

Then, in 1980, the National Women's History Project along with other women's groups and individuals successfully lobbied for a Presidential Proclamation that would recognize Women's History Week. 

The proclamation for Women's History Week continued to be issued annually until 1987 when Congress passed a law designating March as "Women's History Month." Since then, an annual proclamation has been issued for this celebration.

Women Who Changed the World

We're celebrating National History Month, and this blog isn't complete without a mention of the many women who made the world better. In no particular order, let's honor the accomplishments of the women who changed not just the U.S., but the entire world. 

Melinda Gates

An American philanthropist and activist who has focused much of her time and energy on helping people in need, Melinda Gates is the co-chair of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She is one of the most outspoken advocates for women's rights, especially her campaign for providing information about contraceptives for women and girls. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. 

Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher is one of the most influential leaders in British history. She was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, facing tough challenges while she was in office. She was a strong leader who helped to bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union and was a staunch ally of President Ronald Reagan.

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is an American television producer and screenwriter best known for creating hit shows such as Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, and Scandal. She has been praised for changing television by introducing more diverse representations of storytelling. 

Katharine Graham

Katherine Graham was the first female newspaper publisher in the U.S. She oversaw the publication of the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal during his time at The Washington Post. Her book, Personal History, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1998.

Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth has an impressive list of firsts. Being the Illinois senator and retired lieutenant colonel of the National Guard, she's the first congress member to give birth while in office, and the first woman with a disability to be elected in such office. 

Wilma Mankiller

An Oklahoma native, Wilma Mankiller became the leader of the largest tribe in the United States in 1985. During his tenure as a tribal chief, she introduced changes that resulted in enrollment growth, doubling of employment rates, and decline in infant mortality. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. 

Maria Elena Salinas

The longest-running female network anchor in the U.S., Maria Elena Salinas received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy award for her contributions as a journalist. Known as the Voice of Hispanic America, she helped empower the Latino community through her work. 

Marie Curie

A French chemist, Marie Curie was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree within Europe. She was also the first female professor of the University of Paris. Aside from this, her greatest accomplishment was being the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, not only winning it once, but twice! Her legacy includes her contributions to the field of cancer research and her discovery of two elements: radium and polonium. 

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was one of the most influential people in the civil rights movement. In one of the most incredible and influential acts in American history, she was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. She was honored by the United States Congress as "the first lady of civil rights" and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. 

Elizabeth Warren

The first female senator from Massachusetts to serve in the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren is known for her strong advocacy of equal rights for women and minorities. She has served as a law professor at Harvard University and currently sits on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee. 

Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in the world to go into space on a NASA mission. Twenty years later, in 2013, she made history by becoming the first Hispanic and the second female director of the Johnson Space Center in Texas. 

Florence Griffith Joyner

Considered as the fastest woman of all time, Florence Griffith Joyner was an Olympic sprinter and held the record for the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 1988. This accomplishment still stands today, being unsurpassed even after 35 years. 

Sandra Day O'Connor

The first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor was born in El Paso, Texas, and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1981 to 2006. During her tenure as an Associate Justice, she tackled issues such as gender discrimination, abortion rights, sexual harassment, and freedom of religion.

Oprah Winfrey

A popular television host and actress, Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential and successful women in the world. Her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, has been on the air for 25 years and continues to receive positive ratings. Her influence extends far beyond television and into other media. 

Conclusion

Women's History Month is an opportunity to celebrate women's achievements, while also drawing attention to the challenges and barriers that continue to exist for women today. This March, let's reflect on the many ways in which women have made history.