What Women's History Month is and why it should be celebrated
By Jenna Laberinto, The Flame
March 21, 2023
March 21, 2023
The month of March is dedicated to the celebration of Women’s History Month.
The purpose of Women’s History Month, which was established in 1987 formerly known as International Women’s Day, is a month-long celebration to honor women throughout our world and in our life and to recognize important female historical figures and historic events. Celebrating women is the most significant part of it all. Whether it’s our mothers, sisters, aunts, female role models in our lives, and even yourself — all women deserve the recognition.
The earliest reported celebration was on February 28, 1909. Ever since then, International Women’s Day has been adopted as an annual worldwide holiday celebrated on March 8. It then evolved into Women’s History Month in the United States, which is the only country that devotes an entire month to celebrating women.
Rachel Peterson, a biology teacher at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School and adviser of the Fenix Feminist Club, gave her input on the significance of Women’s History Month, and the effects of being a woman in society.
“Women’s History Month is important because women have been historically overlooked by society,” said Peterson. “Their contributions have been undermined or erased. [Of course], we should celebrate women’s contributions all year long, but it is also important to have a specific time to focus on them.”
Peterson also said that her experience as the adviser of the Fenix Feminist Club has been a positive experience. “I am very happy to run the feminist club this year. We are small but mighty, and hoping to expand our club to include a [bi-monthly] lunchtime meeting.”
The Fenix Feminist Club has played a role during Women’s History Month. “We hope to educate our school about feminism,” added Peterson. “We have had a bit of a slow start, but we are now making a bulletin board to educate our community and hope to hold a few lunchtime fundraisers.”
Gloxi Vasquez Santana, a sophomore and transgender woman, said that it is important to recognize not only biological women, but transgender women during the month of March.
“Women’s History Month is very important, both for women and for trans women,” added Santana. “Fighting for our rights like those of any other person is much more than just important--it gives us visibility in the media to continue to fight for ourselves.”
The purpose of Women’s History Month, which was established in 1987 formerly known as International Women’s Day, is a month-long celebration to honor women throughout our world and in our life and to recognize important female historical figures and historic events. Celebrating women is the most significant part of it all. Whether it’s our mothers, sisters, aunts, female role models in our lives, and even yourself — all women deserve the recognition.
The earliest reported celebration was on February 28, 1909. Ever since then, International Women’s Day has been adopted as an annual worldwide holiday celebrated on March 8. It then evolved into Women’s History Month in the United States, which is the only country that devotes an entire month to celebrating women.
Rachel Peterson, a biology teacher at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School and adviser of the Fenix Feminist Club, gave her input on the significance of Women’s History Month, and the effects of being a woman in society.
“Women’s History Month is important because women have been historically overlooked by society,” said Peterson. “Their contributions have been undermined or erased. [Of course], we should celebrate women’s contributions all year long, but it is also important to have a specific time to focus on them.”
Peterson also said that her experience as the adviser of the Fenix Feminist Club has been a positive experience. “I am very happy to run the feminist club this year. We are small but mighty, and hoping to expand our club to include a [bi-monthly] lunchtime meeting.”
The Fenix Feminist Club has played a role during Women’s History Month. “We hope to educate our school about feminism,” added Peterson. “We have had a bit of a slow start, but we are now making a bulletin board to educate our community and hope to hold a few lunchtime fundraisers.”
Gloxi Vasquez Santana, a sophomore and transgender woman, said that it is important to recognize not only biological women, but transgender women during the month of March.
“Women’s History Month is very important, both for women and for trans women,” added Santana. “Fighting for our rights like those of any other person is much more than just important--it gives us visibility in the media to continue to fight for ourselves.”