Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 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. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
From the Law Library of Congress’ guide to the legislative history of Women’s History Month.
More:
- 2015 Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives & 2015 honorees.
- The National Women’s History Museum & Twitter.
- Honoring Women’s History Month at the White House.
- WH.GOV/WOMEN & Tweet.
- National Woman’s History Project.
- Navy Celebrates Women’s History Month.
- Celebrate Women’s History Month @ NYTimes.
- Women’s History Month @ MAKERS.
- Women’s History Month – Wikipedia.
- Women’s History Month – HISTORY.
- TIME MAGAZINE – Women’s history month.