In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week in response to the lobbying of several women’s organizations, spearheaded by the National Women’s History Project, now known as the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA).
In urging libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the women leaders who struggled for equality, President Carter said, “. . . men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
The National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme for each year’s celebration of Women’s History Month. This year’s theme, “Women Who Advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” is demonstrated by women like Susan B. Anthony, Francis Perkins and Sojourner Truth. Susan B. Anthony’s advocacy for women’s suffrage paved the way for women to have the right to vote. Francis Perkins was the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. Among her contributions were the formation of Social Security, unemployment insurance and the federal minimum wage, and she helped to strengthen child labor laws. Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who fought for both race and gender equity, emphasizing the importance of equality for everyone. These influential women inspired generations to continue working towards a more equitable world. I encourage you to set aside time this month and explore the lives of remarkable women like these that spent their life advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion and to also take a moment to celebrate the women in your life and the impact they have had in your personal and professional successes.
In this year’s Proclamation on Women’s History Month, President Biden said, “I call upon all Americans to observe this month and to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. I also invite all Americans to visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov to learn more about the vital contributions of women to our nation’s history.”
At Northeast Delta Dental we made a commitment long ago to diversity, equity and inclusion and this month is a reminder of the importance of the work we are doing and how we all benefit from the impact women have had in our organization’s long history of success.
