March is a month to celebrate many things: Pi Day (which just so happens to be today), St. Patrick’s Day, Johnny Appleseed Day, and Waffle Day (yum) just to name few. But for us at SkinCatering, the biggest thing March has to offer (besides our amazing Sole Sanctuary Hot Stone with Storyteller service) is Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is a national celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It’s an important reminder to honor the great women that you have surrounded yourself with in your life. But it is also an opportunity to learn a little about some of the notable female figures in our history. We shared a few of our inspirations of women in history last week on our social pages, so don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. As we spend the month of March celebrating women throughout science, art, beauty, government, education and so much more, we are having a daily impact on the development of our next generation. We are helping to promote self-respect, self-worth, and new opportunities for young women everywhere.
Besides women being amazing creatures that can bring life into this world, women have so many reasons to be celebrated. But do you know why we have an entire month to honor a sex that has had to fight for equality forever and still is?
Read on to learn more…
- On March 8, 1857, women working in garment factories in New York City organized a march, demanding equal rights, better pay, and a 10-hour workday. That strike led to a more widespread American movement to establish women’s labor unions and end child labor in the early 20th In 1908, garment workers went on strike in New York—and exactly one year later, the Socialist Party of the United States designated February 28, 1909, National Women’s Day.
But wait…. That wasn’t even in March. There is so much more to share.
- National Women’s Day led to International Women’s Day, which was recognized for the first time in March 1911 by countries throughout Europe Men and women attended rallies to end discrimination and demand women’s rights to work.
- The United Nations officially began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975.
It took a bit longer for it to catch on in the US but never fear… we are working on that daily.
- In the late 1970s, a college instructor at Sonoma State University named Molly MacGregor orchestrated a local Women’s History Week, organizing a training day for women to share the history of women in their fields, as well as a parade. She shared what she’d done at a Women’s History Institute the following year—and word spread quickly.
- In 1980, President Jimmy Carter’s office proclaimed the first National Women’s History Week for March 2-8, 1980.
- Thanks to lobbying by the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA)—co-founded by MacGregor—Congress passed a proclamation in 1987 to establish Women’s History Month.
- Each year this organization selects a theme that helps to support some aspect of Women in History while still honoring the women we are surrounded with daily.
- The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
The 2022 theme resonates so loudly with the team at SkinCatering, a women owned business that strives to provide a safe, relaxing location that supports both mental and physical health and healing. Maybe you are now asking yourself, “How can I celebrate Women’s History Month?” … We have got you covered!
Thank a woman. It’s an easy thing to do but can mean a lot. Women do a lot for others and the world at large. Look for someone who inspires you (your mom, your boss, a community leader, or your bestie) and find a way to thank them, whether that be in an email, a thank-you note, or in person. No matter how you thank this influence in your life, be sure to be genuine.
Read about influential women. Women’s history is human’s history, so read up on the figures you may have heard of but don’t know much of. Start with Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen. The book provides beautiful illustration and design showcasing some of the most bad ass women to grace the planet. From pirates to artists, warriors, daredevils, women in science, activists, and spies, the accomplishments of these incredible women who dared to push boundaries vary as much as the eras and places in which they effected change. You can also check out Amazon’s best sellers for books about women in history to find a collection of interesting, inspiring and educational reads.
Support women. Part of being a support to women is determining where you can make your biggest impact. It could mean looking for women and women of color to support running for local government positions, or it could mean supporting a women owned business artist financially or simply by spreading the word. Speak out and defend women who are being unfairly attacked, online or in person. Make friends with women in your community and beyond and appreciate them for who they are.
As we continue to make strides each day to influence those young women around us, we gather inspiration from those who lead the way. There are so many remarkable women some of which you will never find in a Google search or a history book that have helped write our story, that have moved us to be included in the history of our nation. Women are so important to American society and the generations that will come. It’s especially important for children to learn about the great obstacles that women have and continue to overcome. Thank you for celebrating this incredible month with us at SkinCatering, whether it is by visiting us in person, purchasing our women made skin care line, or by simply reading this post and sharing it. We appreciate all of you.