On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized what would later be known as the 1st International Women’s Day in Manhattan. In 1987, March was officially deemed Women’s History Month. Ever since, March has been a time to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women throughout history. People around the world take this time to commemorate the influence of women and raise awareness to women’s rights issues. This year’s theme for Women’s History Month was Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced. The theme serves as a reminder to amplify the voices of women throughout the world through suffrage and voting rights. 

Women’s History Month is commemorated each year by women across the world and even at our own school. The Saint Ignatius Voices of Women (VOW) club scheduled several meetings throughout the month to both celebrate the powerful influence of women as well as to raise awareness for the work that still needs to be done in regards to women’s rights. The month of March is incredibly personal to every woman because Women’s History Month encourages us to celebrate every woman, no matter her age, race, influence, sexuality, or religion. As a member of the VOW exec board says, “You don’t have to be this powerful woman in order to be appreciated; this month appreciates every other woman who doesn’t appear to be strong or powerful. Basically, women history month does not only acknowledge strong women, it also celebrates women who are trying their best to be strong.”

The significance of Women’s History Month cannot be overstated and women’s contributions should continue to be commemorated and appreciated for the entire year. Perhaps our own Ms. Davis-Crowder, Ignatius teacher and moderator of VOW,  puts it best: “We must celebrate the women who have come before us: women who have dared to disrupt for the sake of love and justice, women who have bravely shared their gifts, even as the only woman at the table, and women who have empowered us to use our voices to help create the world we hope to see.”