All about Women’s History Month 

A look at how the historical month came to be and why it’s so important.

In 1992, the Canadian Government officially designated October as Women’s History Month, which began an annual celebration of women and girls for over 30 years. 

Women’s History Month was created not only to remember the achievements of women throughout Canadian history but also to emphasize the importance of recognizing achievements and contributions from different backgrounds. We focus on unique perspectives, experiences and challenges faced by women from all walks of life to see how we can shape a better future for women and girls. 

History 

Women’s History Month started in America, as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. California’s Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women debuted “Women’s History Week” on International Women’s Day in 1978. The movement gained traction across the nation as other communities created their own Women’s History Work and more celebrations as the years went by.  

By 1980, many women’s groups and historians lobbied for national recognition of women’s achievements. In February 1980, then-President Jimmy Carter issued his first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. This continued until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, officially claiming March as Women’s History Month in 1988. From then on, each president proclaimed March as Women’s History Month, and the U.S. influenced Canada to do the same by 1992. 

Facts 

Here are some interesting fun facts about Women’s History Month since it was first announced as a national celebration. 

Annual Theme — Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance sets a theme for Women’s History Month. In 2023, the theme was Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women, which focused on racialized, LGBTQ+ and marginalized women’s achievements and accomplishments throughout history. 

Celebrated Globally at Different Times — Women’s History Month is celebrated not only in the U.S. and Canada but in the Philippines, the U.K. and other countries, too. The United Kingdom celebrates it alongside Mother’s Day in March (like the U.S.), while Canada celebrates it in October. 

Different Colors — Women’s History Month is celebrated with the use of colours. According to the International Women’s Day website, purple, green and white are usually its representative colours since suffragists used them in the Women’s Social and Political Union of the U.K. in the early 1900s. 

Why it is important 

Women’s History Month is more than just observing the efforts and bravery of women throughout history. It calls for women to stand, speak and lift each other to create a better future for the world. Women’s History Month is an opportunity to discuss and reflect on ongoing conflicts, sexism and gendered violence across the globe. It is to help people understand women’s issues, allowing a conversation on what has been done and currently needs to be done to make society more inclusive for women.