History of Women's History Month in Timeline

Women's History Month is an annual celebration held in March in the US, UK, and Australia, and in October in Canada. It highlights the historical and contemporary achievements of women across various fields. The month corresponds with International Women's Day on March 8 and Persons Day in Canada on October 18. It is a time to recognize women's contributions to society.

1911: First International Women's Day

In 1911, the first International Women's Day occurred, marking the beginnings of what would become Women's History Month in the United States.

1963: Commission on the Status of Women Report

In 1963, a report was produced by the Commission on the Status of Women. This was the first comprehensive federal report on women until the report released by the Obama administration in March 2011.

1968: The Women's History Research Center

From 1968 to 1974, The Women's History Research Center, a central archive of the women's movement, was created as a result of Laura X's march.

1969: Laura X Organized a March in Berkeley, California

In 1969, Laura X organized a march in Berkeley, California, on International Women's Day, which had been largely forgotten in the United States before then.

1974: The Women's History Research Center Archive

From 1968 to 1974, The Women's History Research Center, a central archive of the women's movement, was created as a result of Laura X's march.

1978: Weeklong observance in Sonoma County, California

In 1978, a weeklong observance in Sonoma County, California, was held to honor women's history.

1978: Sonoma, California Participated in Women's History Week

In 1978, the school district of Sonoma, California, participated in Women's History Week, an event designed around the week of March 8 (International Women's Day).

1979: Women's History Conference

In 1979, a fifteen-day conference about women's history was held at Sarah Lawrence College from July 13 until July 29, chaired by historian Gerda Lerner. It was co-sponsored by Sarah Lawrence College, the Women's Action Alliance, and the Smithsonian Institution. Participants learned about the success of Sonoma County's Women's History Week celebration and initiated similar celebrations within their own organizations, communities, and school districts. They also agreed to support an effort to secure a National Women's History Week.

February 1980: President Jimmy Carter Issues a Presidential Proclamation

In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.

March 8, 1980: National Women's History Week

President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.

1980: Archived 1980

In 1980, the information was archived.

1980: Championed as a National Week

In 1980, the weeklong observance that started in Sonoma County was championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women's History Alliance to be recognized as a national week.

1981: Joint Congressional Resolution Proclaiming a Women's History Week

In 1981, responding to the growing popularity of Women's History Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a Women's History Week.

March 7, 1982: President Proclaims Women's History Week

Starting March 7, 1982, the President proclaimed the week as Women's History Week.

1982: Archived 1982

In 1982, the information was archived.

1983: Archived 1983

In 1983, the information was archived.

1984: Archived 1984

In 1984, the information was archived.

1985: Archived 1985

In 1985, the information was archived.

1986: Fourteen States Declared March as Women's History Month

By 1986, fourteen states had declared March as Women's History Month.

1986: Archived 1986

In 1986, the information was archived.

March 1987: Congress Designated March as Women's History Month

In March 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month.

March 1987: Women's History Month Started

In March 1987, Women's History Month officially started.

1987: Championed as a National Month

In 1987, the weeklong observance that started in Sonoma County, California, was championed to be recognized as a National Women's History Month.

1988: Annual Proclamations Designating March as Women's History Month

Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.

1988: Women's History Information Archived

In 1988, Women's History information was archived.

1989: Women's History Information Archived

In 1989, Women's History information was archived.

1990: Women's History Information Archived

In 1990, Women's History information was archived.

1991: Women's History Information Archived

In 1991, Women's History information was archived.

1992: Women's History Month Proclaimed in Canada

In 1992, Women's History Month was proclaimed in Canada to recognize the contributions of women and girls to Canadian society.

1992: Women's History Information Archived

In 1992, Women's History information was archived.

1993: Women's History Information Archived

In 1993, Women's History information was archived.

1994: Annual Proclamations Designating March as Women's History Month

Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.

1994: Women's History Information Archived

In 1994, Women's History information was archived.

1995: Women's History Information Archived

In 1995, Women's History information was archived.

1996: Women's History Information Archived

In 1996, Women's History information was archived.

1997: Women's History Information Archived

In 1997, Women's History information was archived.

1998: Women's History Information Archived

In 1998, Women's History information was archived.

1999: Women's History Information Archived

In 1999, Women's History information was archived.

2000: Women's History Month First Celebrated in Australia

In 2000, Women's History Month was first celebrated in Australia, initiated by Helen Leonard and the National Women's Media Centre, working with the Women's Electoral Lobby.

2000: Women's History Information Archived

In 2000, Women's History information was archived.

2001: Women's History Information Archived

In 2001, Women's History information was archived.

2002: Women's History Information Archived

In 2002, Women's History information was archived.

2003: Women's History Information Archived

In 2003, Women's History information was archived.

2004: Women's History Information Archived

In 2004, Women's History information was archived.

2005: Women's History Information Archived

In 2005, Women's History information was archived.

2005: Annual Celebration of Women's History Month in Australia

Since 2005, the annual celebration of Women's History Month in Australia has centered on a different area of women's achievement.

2006: Women's History Information Archived

In 2006, Women's History information was archived.

2007: Women's History Information Archived

In 2007, Women's History information was archived.

2008: Women's History Information Archived

In 2008, Women's History information was archived.

2009: Women's History Information Archived

In 2009, Women's History information was archived.

2010: Women's History Information Archived

In 2010, Women's History information was archived.

March 2011: Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being

In March 2011, the Obama administration released a report, Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being, showing women's status in the U.S. in 2011 and how it had changed over time.

2011: Women's History Information Archived

In 2011, Women's History information was archived.

2012: Women's History Information Archived

In 2012, Women's History information was archived.

2013: Women's History Information Archived

In 2013, Women's History information was archived.

2014: Women's "History Month Finale: The Great Debate 2014"

In 2014, AWHF hosted Women's "History Month Finale: The Great Debate 2014", marking the end of its official commemorations.

2014: Women's History Information Archived

In 2014, Women's History information was archived.

2014: Archived 2014

In 2014, the information was archived.

2015: Women's History Information Archived

In 2015, Women's History information was archived.

2015: Archived 2015

In 2015, the information was archived.

2016: Women's History Information Archived

In 2016, Women's History information was archived.

2017: Women's History Information Archived

In 2017, Women's History information was archived.

2017: Virtual Women's History Month in Russian

Since 2017, a group of female volunteers (Women's Museum in Moscow) have spent a virtual month of women's history in Russian on Facebook Groups.

2018: Women's History Information Archived

In 2018, Women's History information was archived.

2019: Women's History Information Archived

In 2019, Women's History information was archived.

2020: Women's History Information Archived

In 2020, Women's History information was archived.

2021: Women's History Information Archived

In 2021, Women's History information was archived.

2021: Women's History Month Celebrated in Hungary

In 2021, the archaeologists of the Szent István Király Museum (Székesfehérvár) made several Facebook posts in honor of Women's History Month, the first time in Hungary.