March is Women's History Month

Published on March 01, 2024

WomensHistoryMonth 2023

March is a time to highlight, celebrate and honor women and the vital roles they have held in American history and across the world.

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 Ariel Pe 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 in addition to some special programming.

Iacoboni Library is offering a special STEAM Storytime: Celebrate Women's History Month with Ada Lovelace & Binary Friendship Keychains on March 19 at 6 p.m. Learn about the first computer programmer Ada Lovelace and create a keychain or friendship bracelet with a secret message. For ages 6-12 and their caregivers, registration is required. 

Nye Library is also holding a special art program, Celebrating Amazing Women, on Monday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m. Join for a read aloud of "Me...Jane" by Patrick McDonnell, a picture book about primatologist, environmentalist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall. Recommended for children ages 3-12 with their caregivers, attendees will create their own Jane or another woman they admire most. No registration is required and available while supplies last. 

Visit lacountylibrary.org to see the commemorative month’s specific resources, which will include a booklist, events and programming as well as a plethora of digital resources focused on women. 

National recognition

Starting in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint is releasing new quarters featuring American women who changed the nation and the world as part of the American Women Quarters™ Program.

Twenty pioneering American women are featured on their own quarter and includes icons like Maya Angelou, Sally Ride and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as highly respected trailblazers like indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions Edith Kanakaʻole, and Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

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, you can explore 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.

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.

 

 

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