Women's History Month
Women's History Month is a nationally recognized month of observance intended to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. In the United States, March was officially designated by Congress as Women’s History Month in 1987.
Background History
In 1979, the public school district of Sonoma, California, inaugurated the first national Women's History Week, a celebration designed to take place around the week of March 8 (International Women's Day). In 1981, responding to the growing popularity of the event, the United States Congress passed a resolution formally recognizing Women's History Week. Soon after, schools across the country began to have their own local celebrations. The following year, leaders from the California group shared their project at the Women's History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Other participants decided to initiate their own local Women's History Week projects, and also agreed to support an effort to lobby Congress to declare a national Women's History Month.
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Alaska, New York, Oregon, and other states developed and distributed curriculum materials in all of their public schools, which prompted educational events such as essay contests. Within a few years, thousands of schools and communities were celebrating National Women's History Week. They planned and delivered engaging and educational programs about women's roles in history and society, with support and encouragement from governors, city councils, school boards, and the U.S. Congress. In 1987, Congress expanded the focus of the celebrations to last a whole month.
Calendar of Local Events for Women’s History Month 2013
Check out this calendar of events/activities on the Palouse celebrating Women's History Month 2013. If you have an event that you'd like to see listed here, please send the relevant information to wcenter@uidaho.edu.
Date and time TBA
In celebration of International Women's Day
Free film screening: A Powerful Noise
Women's Center lounge, Memorial Gym 109
A Powerful Noise takes you inside the lives of three women - a girls' education crusader from Mali, an HIV-positive widow from Vietnam, and a peacemaking survivor of the war in Bosnia - who each overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to bring lasting solutions to their communities. Free and open to all! Snacks provided.
Date and time TBA
Free film screening: The Lord is Not on Trial Here Today
Date, time and location TBA
A Peabody Award-winning PBS documentary that tells the compelling personal story of Vashti McCollum, and how her efforts to protect her ten year-old son led to one of the most important and landmark First Amendment cases in U.S. Supreme Court history — the case that established the separation of church and state in public schools. Free and open to all! Snacks provided. Sponsored by the Women's Center and the Office of Human Rights, Access & Inclusion.
Tuesday, March 21, 2103
LunaFest Women's Film Festival
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main Street, Moscow
Reception 6:30 p.m., Films 7:30 p.m.
A national touring film festival showcasing original short films by, for, and about women. Preceded by a reception and social with live music, beverages by Camas Prairie Winery, and appetizers by Gnosh. Tickets on sale starting early March at the Women's Center and Book People of Moscow. Cost: $6 (films only), $12 (reception and films).
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Virginia Wolf Distinguished Service Awards
Horizon-Aurora Rooms, Idaho Commons, U-Idaho campus
4:00-6:00 pm
An awards ceremony and reception honoring gender justice activists on campus and in the community. Nominate someone!