The genesis of Women’s History Month was in 1978 at the Sonoma County Commission on Women in California, according to NWHA. This local celebration coincided with International Women’s Day on March 8, and was a weeklong event featuring school presentations and even a parade dedicated to celebrating women’s history and accomplishments.
The movement became popular across the nation and reached Washington. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the official designation of the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, the designation was extended by Congress to include the entire month, according to the Library of Congress. In the proceeding years, the NWHA have been the official custodians of Women’s History Month, choosing an annual theme and advocating for gender-based priorities throughout the year.
In 2026, the theme calls to attention the “overlapping disparities” of climate change, economic inequality, inaccessible health care and risk to democratic participation, with women of color and other marginalized groups disproportionately affected around the world. The theme spotlights how women care for their environment and communities, according to NWHA’s website, and what is left to be done to improve conditions for the next generation. The aim is to activate during the month toward a future that is healthier for people and the planet.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the extraordinary American women of our past and the titans of the present who have strengthened our families, enriched our culture, defended our values, pioneered our industries, and shaped our Nation’s glorious future.
This month, we recognize and honor the incredible women who have built our Nation, formed our conscience, and elevated our spirit. May their legacies continue to inspire future generations of citizens to strive for excellence, lead proudly, and carry forth the enduring values that make America the greatest country in the history of the world.
