March is Women’s History Month! A month to honor the strength and tenacity of women around the world. Here are 10 things we can do in honor of Women’s History Month that will heighten our consciousness and respect for women.
Respect and honor the contributions that women have made to further our society. Women have been integral parts of history and catalyst for moving the world forward, but so often we’re not taught about the significant role women play. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, Lucy Stone worked as an abolitionist and women’s rights leader, Mary McLeod Bethune founded a women’s college, Ida B. Wells helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the list goes on. Refinery 29 on Snap Chat posts the biographies of modern and historical female figures every day in March in honor of WHM!
Empower young women to know they can accomplish anything. I saw a post on Twitter where a fourth-grade girl wrote a note to one of her classmates that read "Do you want to join a club for female empowerment. We are the leaders." That note from a 10-year-old girl means there is so much hope for the future. She probably didn't know the power in that small scrap of paper, but that is the spirit we need to instill in girls. One that says you are powerful, you are worthy, you can make a difference, and you can be a trailblazing leader and still support other girls. We need to let girls know that their sex does not define their potential.
View other women as your sister, and not your competition. We live in a society that tells us to focus on ourselves and forsake others to get to the top. We need to abandon that social construct and move towards a community mindset. The presence of another woman's strength or beauty does not mean the absence of yours. We are so much stronger together, but the fruit of our labor will go unnoticed if we don’t unite.
Uplift other women. When you see another woman doing her thing, tell her. It feels good to have like-minded women compliment us for the work we do. Think about how you feel when someone compliments your work ethic, personality, or style. Do what you can to put that smile on another woman’s face. Wonderful things can happen when women come together. Offering respect and admiration can brighten someone’s spirit and let them know they’re moving in the right direction.
Thank the women in your life. How many times do we thank women for all they do? Women are selfless and caring, but it often goes without appreciation. Take time to thank your mom for the dinner she cooks, or your grandma for calling you. It feels good to be appreciated and know that all we do is not in vain.
Be who you're called to be. Don't allow anyone, parents included, to tell you that you're limited in power. Be the woman you have been called to be, and don't be surprised if some people don’t stick around. Not everybody is ready for your journey or deserves to watch up close. We will miss out if we live life beneath our calling based on the trivial opinion of naysayers.
Engage in dialogue and speak up. Talk with other people about women's history – the issues and triumphs. It's important and healthy to hear the perspectives and experiences of others in an open forum. Also, take some time to talk to women who have gone before you. It can be very inciteful to hear the stories of defeat and victory from women who lived a time much harsher than ours. They have a fountain of wisdom to offer, and you can even experience history in motion. Having discussions about important topics can help us to look at issues and life through somebody else’s lens.
Appreciate the strives that have moved us forward, but recognize there’s still progress to be made. In American history, we have come a long way from the first wave of feminism and fighting for suffrage, to modern day feminism and working to close the wage gap. We almost elected a female president. Of course, women have more educational, political, and social opportunities than they had in the early 19th century, and in the 1950s. However, there are still improvements to be made. White women earn 78 cents for every dollar a man makes, and women of color earn 63 cents for every dollar a man makes for comparable work. It is possible to be grateful for how far we’ve come, and still work towards advancement. That also means expanding feminism to intersectional feminism and diversifying our scope of equality. Intersectional feminism is the belief that women of all races, sexual orientation, religions, and backgrounds deserve equal rights, not just white women.
Uncover the stories of unknown women. Many have offered their talents to the world, and so often their stories aren’t told. The movie Hidden Figures tells the story of black women working at NASA, and depicts the major impact and contribution they made in the U.S. space program. Learn about unsung “sheros” like Henrietta Lacks, Mary and Mildred Kinner, Rosalind Franklin, and more.
Spread love and positivity. We should work towards becoming a loving community that operates cohesively. In Dr. King’s “A time to break the silence” (1967) speech he calls for a “radical revolution of values” in America. He was speaking out against the war in Vietnam and specifically cites racism, materialism, and militarism as the values that need to be shifted. America needing a shift in its values is still pertinent today. It’s interesting to see that a speech given in 1967 can be directly applied to American life in 2017. Let’s adopt a community mindset that treats women justly and respects our contributions to this nation.
If you have any suggestions on how we can better celebrate women's history month leave them in the comments below! Also, check out my female empowerment playlist on Spotify.
https://open.spotify.com/user/chaneltay12/playlist/1c5oHcxESwOqOf5VLwuCxh