Women's History
In 1981, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week.
The week was chosen to coincide with International Women's Day, March
8. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since,
Congress passes a resolution for Women's History Month in March, and the
President issues a proclamation.
Women's History Month, 2010
Presidential Proclamation - Women's History Month
The White House, March 2, 2010
Countless women have steered the course of our history, and their
stories are ones of steadfast determination. From reaching for the
ballot box to breaking barriers on athletic fields and battlefields,
American women have stood resolute in the face of adversity and overcome
obstacles to realize their full measure of success. Women's History
Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the contributions women have
made to our Nation, and to honor those who blazed trails for women's
empowerment and equality.
International Women’s Day
- Statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, March 8, 2010
March 8th is International Women’s Day—a day to reflect on the progress the world has made in advancing women’s rights, and to recognize what work remains to be done.
This year marks an anniversary very close to my heart. Fifteen years ago, along with women and men from around the world I attended the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The message from that conference rang loudly and clearly, and still echoes across cultures and continents: Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights. - Remarks by Obama, First Lady at International Women’s Day Event
- Clinton Calls for a Renewed Commitment to Advance Women’s Rights
- Remarks by Ambassador Rice on International Women’s Day
- World Reflects on Women’s Progress, Remaining Obstacles
Websites:
- Michelle Obama: Woman of Influence
First lady Michelle Obama serves as a role model for women who strive to balance their professional careers and their roles as mothers and wives. - Women of Courage
Around the world, women are challenging their societies to uphold freedom and human rights. Many take great risks to accomplish great things. Here are some of their stories. - Women in Congress
Since 1917, when Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to serve in Congress, a total of 260 women have served as U.S. Representatives or Senators. This Web site, based on the book Women in Congress, 1917–2006, contains biographical profiles of former women Members of Congress, links to information about current women Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of Congresswomen, and images of each woman Member, including rare photos. - Women in the Senate
Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia, the first woman to serve in the United States Senate, took the oath of office on November 21, 1922. Having been appointed to fill a vacancy, Felton served for just 24 hours. The 87-year-old Felton's largely symbolic Senate service capped a long career in Georgia politics and journalism.
Statistics:
- Facts for Features: Women’s History Month: March 2010
U.S. Census Bureau/U.S. Department of Commerce
Publications:
- Women of Influence
Bureau of International Information Programs U.S. Department of State
U.S. Government:
- White House - Women
- Women's History Month Home
- Department of Justice
Office on Violence Against Women - Department of Labor
Women's Bureau - Department of State
Office of Global Women’s Issues - U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Department of Health and Human Services
Women's Health Information - Food and Drug Administration
Office of Women's Health - National Institutes of Health / Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Research on Women's Health - National Women's Business Council
- Small Business Administration
Office of Women's Business Ownership - Entrepreneurial Development
- National Archives - Women