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In 1980, President Jimmy Carter designated March 2–8 as National Women's History Week, according to the National Women's History Museum. At the time, President Carter acknowledged that "the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well."
But a week proved insufficient to celebrate the country's female forebears, so Congress requested that March become "Women's History Month" in 1987. Since then, Women's History Month has been an annual month declared worldwide that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
By honoring the accomplishments of women both past and present, you're helping to shape a more positive future. If you've never celebrated Women's History Month before, or if you're looking for some fresh ideas, here are six suggestions.
Attend local events
Several events are happening throughout the month of March to celebrate women and their accomplishments — and many of them even offer free admission.
On March 15, the Utah Film Center is hosting a free screening of the documentary "The Right to Read," directed by Jenny Mackenzie. On March 18, you can meet the author and illustrator of "The Book of Sisters: Biographies of Incredible Siblings Throughout History," at the South Jordan Library. This free event also includes snacks and activities for all attendees.
If you're a woman with big plans for 2023 — perhaps a promotion or a new job — the Business Women's Forum on March 21 will teach you how to manifest your goals.
For further information on these events and others celebrating Women's History Month, visit the Salt Lake Chamber website.
Shop at women-owned businesses
One of the easiest ways to celebrate Women's History Month is by making a point to shop at local, women-owned businesses. Whether you want to find a unique gift, hire a professional, fix something that's broken or just find a new place to eat, utahwomenowned.com has a full list of women-owned businesses near you to meet all your shopping needs.
Learn Utah history
If the names Martha Hughes Cannon, Emmeline B. Wells and Seraph Young don't sound familiar, they should. Many people don't realize that some of the biggest trailblazers for women's rights hailed from none other than the Beehive State.
Martha Hughes Cannon was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1896, making her the first female state senator in the nation. Emmeline B. Wells was a Utah suffragist who met with four U.S. presidents in her advocacy work for women. Seraph Young was the first woman to legally cast a vote in the U.S., which she did on Feb. 14, 1870, in Salt Lake City.
But these aren't the only stories of Utah women who paved the way for others. Brush up on your Utah history at betterdays2020.com.
Educate yourself on the state of women locally and nationally
To quote Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." You can't help fix a problem you don't know about. So, educating yourself on the state of women locally and nationally is important if you hope to influence positive change.
The gender wage gap is one example. The Utah Department of Workforce Services reports that on a national scale, "adult women who work full-time earn approximately 81% of what their male counterparts earn." In Utah, that ratio drops to 72%. Even women who had the same level of education as their male counterparts earned "noticeably less" than they did. This is just one example that proves there's still work to be done when it comes to women's rights.
If you're looking for a good place to learn more about women's history and rights, the National Archives and Records Administration provides several helpful resources.
Talk about women's history in your business and community
Another important way to celebrate Women's History Month is by simply talking about it. Host a webinar at work highlighting influential women throughout history. Spotlight an outstanding woman on your staff and recognize her accomplishments. Have a discussion about what your staff and employees can do to make women feel more welcome in the workplace. Post articles and event links on your social media pages that bring attention to these important issues.
Visit the Salt Lake Chamber for more ideas
There's truly no limit to the ways you can celebrate Women's History Month, and every effort makes a difference. For further ideas on how to support and celebrate women this month and beyond, visit the Salt Lake Chamber's Women's History Month webpage.
