Women’s History
Be inclusive and global, and expand the lens through which you view and experience women’s history.
Redefining Women’s History
“Women's History Month” was once a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women in United States history. Now it’s a time for every single human to expand the lens through which we view and experience women’s history. Be inclusive of women across the globe, who cut across various verticals, eras and ages. Celebrate the diversity of women including their race, identity, culture, and heritage (R.I.C.H.) and the divergent paths they have taken to get there.
Women account for 47.7% of the global workforce.
Women control over $31.8 trillion in worldwide spending.
Globally, women hold just 24% of senior leadership positions.
42% of women claim they have been discriminated against at work because of their gender.
The pay gap between men and women is 20%.
The global impact of women in the world is measurable and immeasurable simultaneously. While there is still work required to achieve systemic equity, women make history daily. Do your part to create visibility and amplify the stories of humans making women’s history now.
"One is not born a woman, one becomes one."
— Simone de Beauvoir, existentialist philosopher
Meet Some Humans Making Women’s History Today
DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Ph.D., a longtime diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional — serves as executive vice president and chief people capital officer for the Atlanta Braves. Uncover how she’s making women’s history today.
Karen Toliver | Vice President of Animated Fim and Film Producer at Netflix
Xiang Jing | Sculptor
Reese Scott | Founder of Women's World of Boxing
Kiran and Nivi | Singers and Muscians
Jennifer King | NFL Assistant Running Back Coach for the Washington Commanders
Victoria Pannell | Activist, Organized #NationalSchoolWalkout
Autumn Peltier | Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation
Greta Thunberg | Climate Change Warrior
Rosanna Durruthy | Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at LinkedIn
Stacey Abrams | Politician
Ava DuVernay | Writer, Producer, Director and Distributor of Independent Films
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | Director-General at the World Trade Organization
Amal Clooney | International Human Rights Lawyer
JoAnne S. Bass | Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force
Corie Barry | CEO at Best Buy
Virginia M. (Ginni) Rometty | Former Chairman, President and CEO at IBM
Morgan DeBaun | CEO and Founder at Blavity
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib | Representing Michigan's 13th District
MJ Rodriguez | Actress
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | Representing New York's 14th District
Loren Legarda | Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Chloé Zhao | Film Director, Screenwriter and Producer
Oriini Kaipara | Māori Journalist
Margaret Zhang | Editor-in-Chief of Vogue China
Sen. Sarah McBride | Delaware State Senator
Wally Funk | Aviator
Erin Jackson | Team USA Speed Skater
Honorée Fanonne Jeffers | Poet, Essayist, and Novelist
Dr. Rose M. Mutiso | Co-founder and CEO of the Mawazo Institute
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley | Representing Massachusetts' 7th District
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH & BEYOND
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February 6
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation falls on February 6 each year. It's deeply disturbing that, despite being in the 21st century, this violent tradition still exists.
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February 12
February 12 is International Day of Action on Women’s Health, which focuses on protecting the sexual and reproductive health of women.
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March 8
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global celebration that recognizes the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day is also observed as a way to support taking action against gender inequality around the world.
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April 7
National Girl Me Too Day is observed on April 7 each year. The day celebrates the strength and endurance of women of all ages and the progress that women have made together. Every woman can be a source of inspiration – neighbors, shopkeepers, sisters, even strangers.
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May
May is International Victorious Woman Month, and it celebrates the achievements of women despite and amid the hardships they face.
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August 9
On August 9, we celebrate National Women’s Day. Women have had a long history of oppression, but every fight gets us one step closer to freedom and equality.
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August 26
August 26 is Women’s Equality Day and commemorates the certification of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution, in 1920. This amendment gave women the right to vote. Congresswoman Bella Abzug first introduced a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day in 1971. Since that time, every president has published a proclamation recognizing August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.
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September 22
September 22 is American Business Women’s Day. Observed annually, it is a day that honors the contributions and accomplishments of the millions of women in the workforce and the millions of women business owners in the U.S.
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October 29
October 29 marks the day that the National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 to take action to bring about equality for all women. The organization focuses on a broad range of women’s rights issues, including economic justice, pay equity, racial discrimination, women’s health and body image, women with disabilities, reproductive rights and justice, family law, marriage and family formation rights of same-sex couples, representation of women in the media, and global feminist issues.
"A simple behavior change you can make to celebrate and honor women is to use inclusive language. When referring to a group of people, use 'everyone' or 'y'all.' Stop saying 'guys' in this context."
— Kristan Bush, Performance Paradigm
Do you know these historic women of color?
For Women's History Month, BlackFacts.com offers a series of over 60 Videos celebrating Women of Color like Audre Lorde, Alice Coachman, and, Dr. Dorothy Height who have made an impact on history.