It’s Women’s History Month! Founded in 1987, this month is dedicated to the trailblazing women who have changed our future for the better. We use this month to  recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women throughout history. From brave warriors in politics, science, medicine and beyond, their legacies have enriched our nation in countless ways. 

We can discuss the groundbreaking achievements of female scientists, such as Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize; or the political pioneers, such as the first female Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi; the entertainment industry’s stars that are breaking records and helping to make it feel more inclusive; and the countless other female achievers who have made a lasting impact on our world. Honoring these remarkable women and the progress they have made in their respective fields is extremely important not only for the culture, but to our future generations.

Who’s your favorite woman in history? Why? Each one of us has a unique, beautiful woman in mind, and there’s more than likely a very specific reason that drew you to think of them. We want to celebrate this holiday by highlighting some women who are changemakers in different parts of our world.

A great place to start is honoring our Madame Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. She made history on January 20, 2021 as the first woman, the first African American, the first Indian-American and the first person of Asian-American descent to be sworn in as Vice President of our country. She’s also the first graduate of a HBCU to serve as VP as well and no stranger to fighting for change. 

Kamala started her career as a lawyer working in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office after college. After learning the ropes through that position, she was elected as the D.A. of the city of San Francisco in 2003! Thirteen years later, she was elected as a Senator for California, the second African American woman to be elected to the Senate in U.S. history. A fun and important fact: Carol Moseley Braun, an Illinois Democrat, was the first African American Woman to serve as a U.S. senator. 

Kamala Harris has helped to shed light on the changes in our democracy that we’ve been waiting for a long time. Not only for what diversity looks like in the White House, but for what the power of representation can do. 

According to the White House’s official website, Vice President Harris has been hard at work defending reproductive rights, collaborating with business owners to rebuild our economy and standing up for women’s rights, among so many other duties. She has opened the doors for so many women to follow in her footsteps and has done it gracefully.

Speaking of grace, another woman to honor during Women’s History month was the first president of the National American Woman Suffrage Movement, Susan B/ Anthony. Born in 1820 in Massachusetts, Susan grew up in a hardworking family that became involved in the abolitionist movements during the 1840s (Biography, 2021). 

This movement inspired her to join others devoted to combating social and gender issues, through her journey she was able to combine forces with another female pioneer, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, to form the New York State Woman’s Rights Committee. After serving with the American Anti-Slavery Society, Susan refocused on women’s rights exclusively and founded the National Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1869. Anthony’s efforts ultimately resulted in the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which gave all adult women over the age of 18 the right to vote, in 1920. 

Another woman we wanted to highlight this month is one of the greatest writers, poets, activists and actresses of our generation, Dr. Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928, Maya’s first autobiographical work, produced for TV in 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing, won national and international nominations (Britannica, 2023). 

A woman of many talents, Angelou worked as a waitress, dancer, writer, and actor. Her written works of autobiographies and poetry are widely used, studied and awarded, even today. After writing the movie drama Georgia, Georgia in 1972, she became one of the first African American women to have their screenplay produced into a featured film. 

Dr. Maya Angelou taught American Studies at Winston-Salem University and Wake Forest University and has received numerous national and international honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2011. She created an indelible legacy through her work with courage and conviction. 

This month is all about paying tribute to these heroic individuals by teaching future generations about their invaluable contributions towards society, progress, education, and culture. Here are some ways you can celebrate this month:

• Read up about women making change in our world today!
• Share any articles (like this one) honoring women to all your social media platforms. 
• Celebrate the women in your life: tell them you appreciate them, buy your co-worker flowers or treat them to lunch!
• Ask how you can support any women out there making change through their business, outreach or community efforts.

By continuing to honor women throughout Women’s History Month—and beyond—we can ensure that they are appreciated and never forgotten!