Women's History Month: 'Our History Is Our Strength'

March is Women's History Month, a celebration honoring women's contributions in the arts and sciences, as well as their efforts in the struggle for equality.

This year's theme, according to The National Women's History Project, is "Our History Is Our Strength":

Knowing the challenges these women faced, grappled with and overcame can be an enormous source of strength to all of us. During today's difficult times, Our History is Our Strength can serve as an important reminder to our nation that adversity can be overcome.

Women's History Month traces its origins to International Women's Day, which took place for the first time on March 8, 1911. This later served as the focal point of National Women's History Week, officially recognized by Presidential Proclamation in 1980. Finally, in 1987, Congress expanded this event into a month-long celebration.

From our blog posts on gender equality to our coverage of TEDWomen and The Women's Conference, we pay tribute to the women who change our world all year long at The Huffington Post. But be sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks as we continue to explore women's achievements -- past, present and future.

What is your school or organization doing to celebrate National Women's History Month? How are you honoring the women in your community? Which historical women give you strength? Let us know in the comments below!

Comments

[SharonUpp]

04:00 PM on 03/03/2011

A woman of history that I admire: Angenline Beloff. Her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera and beautiful artwork make her an admirable woman in history that paved the way for single mother artists!

[Justine Johnson]

09:46 AM on 03/02/2011

I'd still love to do the living mannequins stunt on the quad.
I call Amelia.

[Gary Zaetz]

09:23 AM on 03/02/2011

Among the 74000 Americans still missing from World War II are 27 American servicewomen. It is to America's shame that the remains of these courageous women and of all the other American MIAs of World War II are still unrecovered after so many years, largely due to the grossly insufficient funds our Government allocates to our military's remains recovery program. In honor of Women's History Month (2011), please demand from our Congressional representatives that our Government start adequately funding this program.

[mike dougles]

08:16 PM on 03/03/2011

They are not missing they are dead.
Most we killed in ways that you would not be able to find any part of the body left, its sad but its also true.

[Gary Zaetz]

10:58 PM on 03/03/2011

Dead or not (and most are undoubtedly dead), they are legitimately considered missing until their remains have been recovered. Mike, you are apparently unaware of basic principles of forensic anthropology, which establish that skeletal remains can still be recovered and even identified after decades given suitable environmental conditions. You are also apparently unaware that the remains of a number of American dead from World War II are still being recovered and identified by the Pentagon's Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command every year, but even more could be recovered if enough funds were provided. See JPAC's website and get up to speed.

[Pema]

11:58 PM on 03/01/2011

some place lost in the maze of my husbands boos, not counting the tech stuff too. i have a book of american women in history, many of these women never rose to public knowledge, how were instrumental in creating solid positive change.hmmm. time to de cutter...

[blinkthink]

08:31 PM on 03/01/2011

'Heroes of the past-their are so many wonderful women. Today, the courage of Gabbie Giffords, Oprah has paved the way with so many insights. But politically, still waiting for a champion of women's rights to address the assault on women's rights and issues by the GOTP.

[Callyson]

04:51 PM on 03/01/2011

Historical figures I admire: can't list them all but I'll include Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Jones and Frances Perkins. Cultural heroines would include Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keefe, Joan Mitchell, Louise Nevelson, Virginia Woolf, and Billie Holliday.
Far too many more to list, but this has a good selection:
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/alphaindex/a/biographies_a.htm

[thrillsnswills]

02:07 PM on 03/01/2011

This funny site has lots of sarcastic Women's History month jokes..nothing serious just for fun! http://crassecards.com

"If women ruled the world there wouldn't be war...just a lot of diet and eyelash growth competitions."

[Callah]

11:29 AM on 03/01/2011

Enjoy what you have now because if the GOPTPers get their way we will be doomed to the laws of the American Tailban. The GOP have declared WAR on Women haven't you heard? They wont be happy till we are slaves to the RULE OF THUMB again....

[VictoryBlue]

11:29 AM on 03/01/2011

Thanks Mom. Thanks for being there.

[Tameka Mullins]

10:35 AM on 03/01/2011

Women of the past like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and countless numbers of other women who have blazed trails that no one knows about. Mothers who raise children that aren't their own and women who break barriers like being community organizers, astronauts, authors, mentors, teachers, farmers, mechanics, basketball players, singers, scientists and more. I'm so proud and happy to be a woman and I truly honor those that have existed before me!