NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

honorary observance of the month of March, as designated in 1987 by the U.S. Congress, in recognition of women's many accomplishments throughout history. A variety of agencies, schools, and organizations observe the month by focusing on the consistently overlooked and undervalued role of American women in history. Libraries and communities promote special events that emphasize the achievements of women. The significance of the month of March dates to the mid-19th century when, on March 8, 1857, a group of female garment workers in New York City staged a protest to demand better working conditions and pay. Police aggressively halted the demonstration, but several years later the determined women formed their own union. In 1911, March 8 was observed as International Women's Day to acknowledge women's continuing struggle for recognition and rights. In 1977 the schools of Sonoma county, California, named March Women's History Month as a means of examining women's history, issues, and contributions. The idea gained momentum, and in 1981 a congressional resolution proclaimed the week surrounding March 8 National Women's History Week. In 1986 the National Women's History Project played a significant role in the expansion of the observance to the entire month of March.