March 8, 2009 – International Women’s Day

March 6, 2009

On March 8, people across the world celebrate International Women's Day.  In the United States, March is designated as National Women’s History Month and honors the contributions of women to the nation’s history and culture.  Each year, the U.S. President issues a proclamation calling on all citizens to observe March as National Women’s History Month, as well as a separate proclamation on International Women’s Day, March 8. The worldwide celebration, begun in 1975 by the United Nations, recognizes women’s achievements, highlights issues of common concern and focuses on ending discrimination and increasing support for women’s full and equal participation in society. In 2009, the theme is Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls.  Please click here to read the op-ed article celebrating International Women’s Day issued by the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.  

 
In 1981, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week.  In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month, and has since passed such a resolution every year. Congressional action is followed by a U.S. presidential proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month, which celebrates the contributions of women to the nation’s history and culture.  Since its founding in 1980, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) has recognized and celebrated the rich and varied contributions of women to the history and culture of the United States.  This year’s theme “honors women who have taken the lead in the environmental or ‘green’ movement.”

The world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist Rachel Carson is the inspiration for the 2009 National Women’s History Month theme, Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet. Carson’s 1962 book Silent Spring focused the world’s attention on the harm to human health and the environment caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Its message was that mankind's growing reliance on these chemicals carried real and not fully understood risks. She did not urge a ban on all pesticides, but called for more research on their safety, more careful and moderate use, and tighter regulations. The federal government conducted a review of pesticide policies and, in 1972, banned the pesticide DDT in the United States. Carson and her book are credited with launching the modern environmental movement.

Milestones in U.S. Women's History

1851 Abolitionist and former slave Sojourner Truth  gives her famous speech "Ain't I a Woman?" to the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. She was an eloquent champion of the rights of African Americans and women.

1981 Sandra Day O'Connor is the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is appointed by President Ronald Reagan and serves until her retirement in 2006.

2006 Captain Nicole Malachowski debuts as the first female pilot in the U.S. Air Force’s air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds.

2009 Michelle Obama [] becomes the first African-American first lady of the United States. She is a lawyer, the mother of two daughters, and the youngest first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy.

More milestones