Women’s History Month is a month-long celebration that is observed in the US, UK, and Australia in March and in October in Canada. Women’s History Month originates from various celebrations of women’s impact on society. Starting with the first International Women’s Day, which has taken place in some form since 1911, the popularity for a celebration of women arose in the 1970s. It was local celebrations, most notably the “Women’s History Week” organized by the Education Task Force of Sonoma County, California in 1978, that created this popularity and led to its federal recognition. In the 1980s, activists began lobbying for federal recognition of a month-long celebration, which eventually came in 1987.

The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, has announced the women’s history theme for 2023, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

Throughout 2023, the NWHA will encourage recognition of women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, and more. The timely theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade.

More information on Women’s History Month

Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline

Women's History Month (womenshistory.org)

Why is Women’s History Month in March? 

The 2023 National Women's History Theme: "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories"

Women's History Month at MSU

GenCen is part of a coalition of departments, centers, and groups across MSU's campus that have come together to create programming celebrating women and women's history. In our use of “women” we recognize that gender is complex. We are all more than just our gender - we are comprised of intersecting identities that are grounded in history and our lived experience that goes beyond the gender binary. We celebrate and observe this month because of the past and present existence of systemic gender oppression that impacts women as well as others who exist differently regarding the gender construct. 

MSU's Women's Student Services is holding events to celebrate all month long, which you can see here: Link 

You can also view all GenCen events here: Events

Women’s History Month Resources for K-12 Educators

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
List of resources for educators to use when teaching about gender and women’s history in the classroom. Resources are labeled for intended age range: elementary, middle, and high school.

25 Must-Reads for Women’s History Month

Barnes & Noble
List of 25 books as recommended reading to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Selected Reading for Women's History Month

Oxford University 
Listing of Oxford University Press publications available for free for Women's History Month. 

We Must Rewrite Women's Role in History

Time Opinion Piece by Anita Sarkeesian and Laura Hudson
Article that outlines how men have been portrayed as the heart of historical change and erases women. The authors hope that through reframing history we can empower women and create a lasting impact.

27+ Women’s History Month Ideas for Work

Article by Akila McConnell
This article presents ideas for teams to to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of amazing women throughout history. The list includes ways to celebrate and learn more, virtual team building activities, and ways to examine and improve gender equity in your workplace.

Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Smithsonian Institution
To create a more equitable America, the Smithsonian is researching, disseminating, and amplifying the histories of American women virtually and in preparation for the future Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. The Smithsonian wants the role of women in American history to be well-known, accurate, acknowledged, and empowering.