Male student reflects on Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month dates back to the early 1900s when there was just a Women’s History Week. The week was set aside to highlight the achievement of women across the world. The school district of Sonoma, California participated in Women’s history week that centered around International Women’s Day on March 8th.
Many say that the day started by acknowledging the struggles of Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and many more. The week developed into a month after it was petitioned in 1987. The National Women’s History Project played an important role in making that happen. It took many years for Congress and the President to declare March Women’s History Month.
The month in the eyes of the average male may not be important, but for the ones who understand history will acknowledge the month’s importance. For years women have been the backbone of our nation and have continued to be the glue. The accomplishments of women are far reaching.
Women were seen as only housewives until they started to dominate culture. In the 1960s, around 80 percent of women entered the workforce proving that they had more to offer than just bearing children and cleaning house. In 1966, National Organization for Women emerged as the mouthpiece for women at a time women were being overlooked.
Historical women, like Susan B. Anthony who stood for women’s voting rights, are not being taught in history class at some schools. Being a man, I feel that women should be recognized just as much as we recognize Black History Month and other aspects history.
When I look at women in society, I see birth and I see power. This past election we had the honor of having a woman run for president. Even though Hilary Clinton did not win, it shows how far we have come as a culture.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I would like to take the time out recognize a few women who have shaped culture.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to ever receive a medical degree from a college. Later she opened her own college to train women that were rejected from other schools because of their sex.
Ella Fitzgerald shaped women’s role in music entertainment. She was a jazz singer who won 12 Grammys.
Grace Hopper invented one the first easy-to-use computer languages which advanced computer programing.
A woman we know all too well, Dr. Frances Henderson is the first black woman granted tenure in the history of Maryville College. It is safe to say that she embodies what a woman should be and has influenced hundreds of women at Maryville over the years.
Women might have the most important role in society. They are the ones that keep things afloat when we crumble. Without women, we would not have made it this far as a nation.