It's Women's History Month! Here are 5 ways to celebrate this March and all year long

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·5 min read

It's Women's History Month, an annual celebration of all women and their contributions to history, culture and society.

According to History.com, the monthlong holiday has been observed annually in the United States since 1987. International Women's Day, which was March 8, takes the celebration a step further by highlighting incredible women, past and present, from across the globe, along with their struggles and achievements.

There are many ways to celebrate Women's History Month, from honoring an important woman in your life to educating others about groundbreaking women of our past and present. If you don't know where to begin, don't worry, we're here to teach you about the special month, with information about its history and how to celebrate.

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What is Women's History Month?

Women's History Month began in 1978 as a weeklong celebration to honor the contributions women have made to society, History.com reports. The Sonoma County, California, school district organized it, and there were festivities that included presentations, an essay contest and a parade.

After schools started hosting similar celebrations nationwide, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation in 1980, declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. By 1987, Congress designated March as Women's History Month, thanks to a petition by the National Women's History Project.

What is the theme for Women's History Month 2023?

The theme for Women's History Month 2023 is "celebrating women who tell our stories," according to the National Women's History Alliance. This recognizes "women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling, including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news and social media."

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5 ways to celebrate Women's History Month

Here is how you can celebrate this special month.

Honor an important woman in your life

There are numerous ways to honor important women in your life. You can write a thoughtful letter or give them a gift to show how much they inspire you. USA Today has several recommendations for products created by or for women that would make great gifts, such as biographies about amazing women, greeting cards, accessories, beauty products and more.

If you identify as a woman, you can also use this month to reflect on your strength, accomplishments and more.

Educate yourself and others on groundbreaking women

One of the core tenets of Women's History Month is education, whether you're deepening your understanding of women's history or dropping some much-needed knowledge on your peers. Watching a documentary about women's rights, reading books about significant women figures in history and watching TED Talks by women leaders are just a few ways you can learn more about the contributions of women in our society.

For teachers, parents and guardians, the National Education Association outlines several lessons, activities and other resources that help students learn about the challenges women have faced and their accomplishments throughout history. The official Women's History Month website also has numerous educational resources.

Support a woman-owned business

Tessa Clark, store manager at Idlewild Woman in Over-the-Rhine. Idlewild Woman was founded in 2018 by Julie Clark and Jessica Murray.
Tessa Clark, store manager at Idlewild Woman in Over-the-Rhine. Idlewild Woman was founded in 2018 by Julie Clark and Jessica Murray.

There are plenty of woman-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that you can support this March to celebrate Women's History Month. But in case you don't know where to start, here are a few:

Participate in a woman-related cause

Participating in or donating to a local charity or nonprofit organization aimed at helping women and gender-nonconforming people is an impactful way to celebrate Women's History Month. Some local organizations include the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, a multicultural organization aimed at eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting justice for all; Muse Cincinnati's Women's Choir, an inclusive, feminist choir that advocates for peace and social justice in Cincinnati, and League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan woman-led political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government.

These are just some of the many woman-led organizations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that accept donations and offer volunteer opportunities. Just find one that speaks to you and get involved.

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Engage in media created by and for women

If you've made it this far, you're already on the right track. As per the theme of Women's History Month 2023, this March is focused on recognizing women in media, whether it be radio, TV, film, social media or print. Simply watching a movie about a pivotal woman in history, listening to a woman-led podcast or reading a news article written by a woman or that centers on women-related issues is a great way to commemorate the contributions of women this month and throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Women's History Month: What it is and 5 ways to celebrate