March is Women’s History month. It’s a month to celebrate women and the contributions that they’ve made in the world. Here’s a guide on how to celebrate Women’s History Month.
The first step to celebrate this month is to learn. Learning about women’s history and the sometimes overlooked contributions that women have given to society empowers young and older women alike. A way to learn about women’s history is through watching documentaries and reading books about women’s rights. Make sure to include diversity in the film and literature you decide to learn from as it’s important to learn the experiences of women through an intersectional lens. We need to learn from the past to avoid regression.
The second step is to support and uplift other women. March is the perfect month to start supporting women-owned businesses. Supporting more women-owned businesses allows for women to achieve similar or equal success to their male counterparts. Another way to support women is to donate to organizations or charities that support women and girls, whether that be ones in your local area or well-known ones. For example, donating to a charity like “Girls Who Code” gives young girls access to study computer science, a notoriously male-dominated field. Having more women in the field can introduce the world to new and innovative ideas which benefit everyone. It’s important to donate to these charities because when women and girls are uplifted, it not only benefits women, but society as a whole.
The third and final step is to celebrate and attend Women’s History Month events in your community. At SUNY Old Westbury, there will be Women’s History Month events throughout March and April. Another way to celebrate women is to consume media created by women. The media doesn’t have to be centered around women’s rights, but listening to music by women or watching movies made by them can be a great way to celebrate women. Consuming media created by women is important because it not only supports these women, but it also allows women to feel and be seen. This visibility allows for the start of important discourse that can lead to the further empowerment of women.
March is an important month to learn and reflect on women and their contributions to society. Celebrating women is essential to allot for change. Coretta Scott King once said, “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.”
