National Women's History Month - Are you ready to celebrate National Women's History Month? We've gathered together some of the best ways to honor women during this important month.

National Women's History Month 2025 – March 2025

During the month of March, we give a little extra attention to all of the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women. Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. Every woman has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world. So get ready, because this month is about honoring magnificent ladies, and we are ready to celebrate it to the fullest. Celebrating this women’s month by supporting women chase her dreams and fulfilling her educational needs by finding her right scholarships from around the world.

History of National Women's History Month

Women’s History Month celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of women in history, society, and culture. It has been annually observed in the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, every March since 1987. The month is observed in October in Canada. March is selected as the month for observing Women’s History Month to correspond with International Women’s Day on March 8, and Canada observes it in October in correspondence with Persons Day on October 18. The month-long commemoration started with Women’s History Day in 1978, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California. Hundreds of students participated in the essay competitions, many presentations were given, and a parade was held in Santa Rosa. The idea caught on and, a few years later, school districts, communities, and organizations all over the country were celebrating the day. In 1980, the National Women’s History Alliance championed for the holiday to be observed as a national week, and this was backed by President Jimmy Carter, who issued the first proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The following year, Congress forwarded a resolution establishing a national observance. Six years later, the expansion of the event to the whole month of March was successfully petitioned by the National Women’s History Project. 

National Women's History Month timeline

1920
Women Win the Right to Vote

Women are granted the right to vote thanks to the 19th Amendment.

1981
A Women's Place is in the Court

Sandra Day O’Connor is the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.

1983
Women Go to Infinity and Beyond

Sally Ride becomes the first woman in space.

2016
I'm with Her

Hillary Rodham Clinton is the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party.

National Women's History Month FAQs

Why do we celebrate Women's History Month?

Women’s History Month is dedicated to the accomplishments and achievements of women in U.S. history that are often overlooked. 

Who is the founder of women's history?

The founders of the American non-profit organization National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) are Molly Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammett, and Bette Morgan.

What was the theme of Women's History Month for 2020?

The theme for National Women’s History Month in 2020 was ‘Valiant Women of the Vote.’

How to Observe National Women's History Month

  1. Put it in writing

    Think of a woman you look up to and admire. She can be someone in your personal life or a public figure. Write her a letter describing the impact she has had on your life. Your thoughtful gesture is sure to be appreciated.

  2. Have a girl's lunch

    Lunch, breakfast, or dinner — it doesn’t matter. Grab your granny, cousin Cheryl, or great-aunt Mimi and grab a bite to eat. Having the chance to spend some one-on-one time with the lovely ladies in your life is a great way to reconnect and remind them how much they mean to you. Who knows, they may even tell some interesting stories you’ve never heard before.

  3. Read up on women's history

    There are some excellent museums dedicated entirely to the accomplishments of women. If you don’t happen to live near one of these places, many venues set up special exhibits during National Women’s History Month.

5 Powerful Facts About Women

  1. Women have always been present

    Women have always been present in the military, temporarily and voluntarily.

  2. Army Nurse and Navy Nurse divisions

    The Army Nurse Corps was created in 1901 and the Navy Nurse Corps was created in 1908.

  3. Progressive 1900s

    Married women were allowed to own property in their own name and keep their own wages in the 1900s.

  4. First of its kind

    The first college to accept women was Salem College, founded in 1772.

  5. Who runs the world?

    More than 30% of all businesses today are owned and run by women.

Why National Women's History Month is Important

  1. We haven't given women their due attention

    For many years, women weren’t acknowledged enough in historical texts. This isn’t because they weren’t in the midst of important discoveries or helping out with important conquests. It’s mainly because men wrote the majority of historical documents for thousands of years. In March, we dig deep to uncover many of the important roles women have played throughout history.

  2. Women are inspirational

    Learning about women who have stood up for their rights and fought for what they believe is fantastic motivation. We all have the power to influence the direction our world is headed in, and National Women’s History Month reminds us of that.

  3. It recognizes the strength and power of women

    It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of daily life, but this month is an excellent opportunity to put a spotlight on all of the major things women accomplish each and every day. From domestic chores and carrying babies to fighting wars and governing countries, women are pretty darn amazing.

National Women's History Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 March 1 Wednesday
2024 March 1 Friday
2025 March 1 Saturday
2026 March 1 Sunday
2027 March 1 Monday
World Compliment Day
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
St. David's Day
National Pig Day
Baby Sleep Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day
National Wedding Planning Day
Share a Smile Day
National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day
Independence Movement Day
World Music Therapy Day
National Dadgum That's Good Day
Refired Not Retired Day
Yap Day
World Civil Defense Day
National Fruit Compote Day
National Horse Protection Day
Zero Discrimination Day
International Ideas Month
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
Tsagaan Sar
National March First Day
National Texas Stress Day
World Seagrass Day
International Martisor
Public Risk Management Awareness Day
National Sage Day
Endometriosis Awareness Day
National Hotel Slipper Day
National Minnesota Day
Plan a Solo Vacation Day
Peace Corps Day
National Welsh Corgi Day
Earth God's Birthday
Ramadan Begins
Baba Marta
Mărțișor
International Women of Color Day
Justin Bieber's Birthday
Kenny Redneck Tv's Birthday
Frederic Chopin's Birthday
Sawyer Sharbino's Birthday
Philza's Birthday
Kesha's Birthday
Ron Howard's Birthday
Wonho's Birthday
Universal Human Beings Week
Hearing Awareness Week
North Dakota Winter Show
National Will Eisner Week
National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week
National Ghostwriters Week
Festival of Owls Week
Iditarod Race
National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week
National Invest in Veterans Week
International Women’s Week
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Crafting Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Kidney Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Umbrella Month
National Flour Month
March Madness
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Social Work Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Trisomy Awareness Month
National Crochet Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Red Cross Month
National Color Therapy Month
Ramadan
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Reading Month
Colic Awareness Month
Veggie Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Save Your Vision Awareness Month
National Women's History Month
National Eye Donor Month
Berries and Cherries Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
NZ Book Month
Alport Syndrome Awareness Month
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
Listening Awareness Month
Gardening, Nature and Ecology Books Month
Middle Level Education Month
Women’s Month (Philippines)
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Vascular Anomalies Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
National Deaf History Month
American Red Cross Month
Endometriosis Month
Gender Equality Month
Read an E-Book Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Mad for Plaid Month
Youth Art Month
National Breast Implant Awareness Month
National Bed Month (U.K.)
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month
Greek American Heritage Month
Birth anniversary of Samaon Sulaiman
Supply Management Month
National Optimism Month
Employee Spirit Month
Humorists are Artists Month
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Academy Awards Month
Sing With Your Child Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
The Great Daffodil Appeal
Honor Society Awareness Month
Small Press Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
International Mirth Month
Play the Recorder Month
Lent
National Music in Our Schools Month
National Clean up Your IRS Act Month
National Credit Education Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
National March Into Literacy Month