March is Women’s History Month
The month of March is National Women’s History Month. Yes, we get a whole month; at least it’s better than a week
Women’s History Month began as a Women’s History Week 1981, thanks to the U.S. Congress Pub. L. 97-28 which requested the President to proclaim March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” It wasn’t until 1987 that it became “Women’s History Month.”
And, just a part of President Obama’s proclamation:
Today, more women are their family’s main breadwinner than ever before. Women are nearly half of our Nation’s workers, and they are increasingly among the most skilled. At the same time, more than 60 percent of women with children under the age of 5 participate in the labor force. This increasing participation of women in our workforce has bolstered our economy and strengthened our families, and it has demonstrated that the policies that benefit women and working families benefit all of us.
But not all of the rules that govern our workplaces have caught up with this reality, and today, too many of the opportunities that our mothers and grandmothers fought for are going unrealized. That is why I am committed to tearing down the barriers to full and equal participation in our economy and society that still exist for too many women. All women deserve equal pay for equal work and a living wage; the Congress needs to raise the minimum wage and pass a law that ensures a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. I continue to call for increased workplace flexibility and access to paid leave — including paid sick leave — so that hardworking Americans do not have to choose between being productive employees and responsible family members. And I have proposed a plan that would make quality child care available to every middle-class and low-income family in America with young children. These are not only women’s issues — they are family issues and national economic priorities.
Follow the tag Women’s History Month for posts about trailblazers, history makers and other wonderful women in Houston… and online.
And feel free to suggest a few to spotlight.
* * *
NOTES:
- More info on Women’s History Month: womenshistorymonth.gov
- Presidential Proclamation — Women’s History Month 2015
Sandra Fernandez is a professional communicator, tech enthusiast, book lover, and blogger. You can find her main blog at SandraSays.com and more of her writing at HispanicHouston.com.