A year ago, I wrote about Women's History Month. If you missed that blog, which shared some of my personal history, here's the link: Women's History Month: 2022
Women's History Month ...
...is celebrated in the United States every March to recognize the important contributions of women throughout history. This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of women and to reflect on the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Back to the Roots
The roots of Women's History Month can be traced back to the early 20th century when the suffrage movement was gaining momentum. Women fought for the right to vote and to be treated equally under the law. They organized marches, rallies, and protests. Their efforts ultimately led to the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920.
Hooray for Progress
Since then, women have continued to make important strides in all areas of life, including politics, business, education, and the arts. Women like Shirley Chisholm, who in 1968 became the first African American woman elected to Congress, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who served as a Supreme Court Justice for 27 years and fought tirelessly for women's rights, have inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.
But...
However, the struggle for gender equality is far from over. Women still face discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and the gender pay gap persists. Women are also underrepresented in leadership roles in many industries, and women of color face even greater barriers to success. Lawsuits and news outlets remind us of the different treatment of women and men. We need to applaud progress and yet continue to work toward full equality.
Prompts for Thinking, Writing, and Taking Action
To continue the progress made by those who came before us and to pave the way for future generations of women, it is important to celebrate Women's History Month and to continue the fight for gender equality. Below are five writing prompts that can be explored during Women's History Month. Not one to write? Have a gathering of friends and talk through these issues.
Who are some women who have inspired you? What did they accomplish, and how have they impacted your life?
What are some of the biggest challenges facing women today? How can we work to overcome these challenges and promote gender equality?
How have women's roles in society changed over the course of history--and specially over the course of your life? What are some of the key milestones in the fight for gender equality, and what progress still needs to be made?
How do issues of race, class, and sexual orientation intersect with gender inequality? How can we work to ensure that all women have equal opportunities and access to resources?
Who are some women who are making a difference today? How are they advocating for women's rights and promoting gender equality?
By exploring these and other questions, we can deepen our understanding of the challenges facing women and work to create a more just and equitable society for all. Women's History Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made, but also to recognize the work that still needs to be done. Through education, advocacy, and collective action, we can continue to move towards a world where all women have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
According to the National Women's History Alliance the 2023 theme for March is:
From the earliest storytellers through pioneering journalists, our experiences have been captured by a wide variety of artists and teachers. These include authors, songwriters, scholars, playwrights, performers, and grandmothers throughout time. Women have long been instrumental in passing on our heritage in word and in print to communicate the lessons of those who came before us. Women’s stories, and the larger human story, expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other. ~National Women's History Alliance
A FUN FACT YOU MAY NOT KNOW...
I was trying to find a fun way to title this blog. I thought of something like... Hip, Hip, Hooray, It's Women's History Day.
But then, I realized, I wanted to use the word MONTH not the word DAY. I figured I could change the first part as soon as I had a word that rhymed with MONTH. I walked around and around -- trying to think up a word that would work. Finally, I challenged the Internet to give me all the words that rhyme with MONTH. Here's what I learned:
"There are no words in the English language that rhyme with orange, silver, purple or month."
Of course, if you pursue this rhyme trivia, you find that the word "oneth" rhymes with month. MyEnglishLanguage.com:
‘Oneth’ comes from the mathematical term ‘n+1th’, such as thousand and oneth. This needs to be said in just the right accent using an ‘uh’ sound rather than an ‘oh’ sound. Remember, month is pronounced ‘munth’, so ‘one’ and therefore ‘oneth’ also need to be pronounced as ‘wun’ and ‘wunth’ (not ‘wan’ and ‘wanth’).
OK.
Now you know why the title of this blog doesn't have a rhyme with MONTH.
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