National Women's History Month

National Women's History Month celebrates the movement of women who went from being second class citizens who were not allowed to vote, own property or even sign a contract, to being where they are today.

Women's History

Women’s History Month evolved over time dating back to the first Women's Suffrage Movement in 1848 with the Women's Rights Convention, taking place in Seneca Falls, New York. During the Civil War it was declared that African Americans could vote, however, women still were not allowed to. This enraged women all over the United States, and the American Equal Rights Association was established in 1868, in the presidential election of 1872, Susan B. Anthony was arrested for attempting to vote.

Moving Forward

In 1919 the nineteenth amendment was passed by both houses, giving “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The Equal Rights Amendment was passed in 1972; in 1981 women celebrated Women's History Week which fell around the week of March 8th, and Congress legally expanded the celebration to a whole month in 1987, declaring March as National Women's History month.

Fast Facts

1. Celebrated every March
2. Suffrage movement started in 1848
3. In 1911 it was celebrated as International Women's Day
4. 1981 was a week long celebration
5. 1987 Congress expanded to a month

2005 Women Stats

1. 152 million females in the US
2. 203,000 active duty women in the military
3. Made up 37 percent of the work force
4. Women earned 91 cents for every $1 their male
5. 65% of reported voters were female
6. 5.6 million stay at home mothers

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