March is Women's History Month
Published on March 01, 2023
Women have made significant contributions to society long before any formal recognition. However, Women’s History Month offers an opportunity to highlight the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
The City of Lakewood joins the federal government, state government and hundreds of public and private organizations in paying tribute to this important annual commemoration and celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society, including women’s struggles for the right to vote and equality under the law.
On behalf of the Lakewood City Council, Mayor Steve Croft has issued a proclamation in recognition of Women's History Month, available on this page.
Origins of Women's History Month
The recognition of women’s achievements started with International Women’s Day, observed for the first time on March 8, 1911.
Then in 1978, Sonoma County, CA held a “Women’s History Week” celebration to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement soon spread across the country, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring National Women’s History Week.
By 1987, Congress had designated March as Women’s History Month.
Resources to learn more
Los Angeles County Library
The two Los Angeles County Libraries in Lakewood will be creating book displays in celebration of women in March and offer take-home activity kits for kids (recommended for children ages 5-12), while supplies last:
Think Like a Zoologist: Two women who were very influential in the field of science are Jane Goodall and Mary Anning. Jane Goodall is a zoologist who was the first person to observe chimpanzees using tools, changing the way we understand animals and ourselves. Mary Anning was a paleontologist who collected fossils which gave us a better understanding of prehistoric life and the history of earth. Learn more about Jane and Mary and other remarkable women scientists from books, magazines, and other library resources. Then practice thinking like a zoologist or paleontologist by combining puzzle pieces to construct a 3-D animal or dinosaur.
Web resources
Visit the L.A. County Library website to see the commemorative month’s specific resources, which will include a booklist and a special "great Women in History" tribute to four women you may have never heard of, but have made huge impacts on our local community and the world.
National recognition
Take note, the Smithsonian Institution is currently building the American Women’s History Museum in our nation’s capital. The museum will recognize women’s accomplishments, the history they made, and the communities they represent.
In addition, a major new online research guide highlights hundreds of sources that tell the stories of women through a wide variety of perspectives and media in the Library of Congress collections.
The guide's comprehensive coverage includes historic and contemporary audio and video files, posters, photographs, magazines, sheet music, maps, manuscripts and rare books, as well as government documents and legislation. The topical essays highlight such themes as the Equal Rights Amendment, Patriotism and Suffrage. Delve into the treasure trove online.