Each March, Women’s History Month is sponsored by the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Park Service and more. This year’s theme is “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination,” which specifically honors women who have made contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout history.
Women’s history has been celebrated in America since 1981. At the time, a week was designated to this awareness initiative. Then, in 1987, congress designated the entire month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
Eighteen women were chosen as 2013 honorees. According to the National Women’s History Project (NWHP), they ”represent a remarkable range of accomplishments and a wide diversity of specialties including medicine, robotics, computer programming, atmospheric chemistry, architecture and primatology.” They include (but are not limited to):
- Hattie Elizabeth Alexander, pediatrician and microbiologist
- Katharine Burr Blodgett, physicist and inventor
- Rita R. Colwell, molecular microbial ecologist and scientific administrator
- Dian Fossey, primatologist and naturalist
- Julia Morgan, architect
Their work spans centuries, but each of these women is an inspiration.
The NWHP has created a brochure to help spread the word about National Women’s History Month this March. Alternatively, consider handing out Women’s History Month gifts at your store or in your community.
