Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

Source: Women's History Month (womenshistorymonth.gov)

Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History & Culture | Duke University Libraries:

The Duke University Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture is dedicated to acquiring, preserving and making available to a large population of researchers published and unpublished materials that reflect the public and private lives of women, past and presents.

Website: library.duke.edu/rubenstein/bingham 

National Women's History Alliance (taken from: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org):

The National Women’s History Alliance formerly, the National Women’s History Project, is a leader in promoting Women’s History and is committed to the goals of education, empowerment, equality, and inclusion.

• In 1980, we were a group of women who noticed that women were absent from our texts. No more than 3% of the content was devoted to women.
• Girls had few role models. Girls and boys and many adults assumed women did nothing important. This perception needed to be addressed.
• We convinced Congress and the White House of the need for our nation to celebrate and recognize women’s role in history on an annual basis. As a result of our efforts, the week of March 8th (International Women’s Day) was officially designated as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, we led the successful campaign to have the entire month of March declared National Women’s History Month

Website: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/our-history/ 

New York Historical Society Center for Women's History:

Located in New York City, the Center for Women's History unearths the lives and legacies of women who have shaped and continue to shape the American experience. history.

Website:   https://www.nyhistory.org/womens-history

Coming Soon: America's Women's History Museum

On December 27, 2020, Congress enacted legislation to create the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Planning is currently underway for the new museum.

Website: womenshistory.si.edu/

Yearly Women's History Month Theme and Celebrations:

The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's History Month. The 2024 theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." This theme recognizes "women who have been active throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.".

Website: 2024 WHM Theme - National Women's History: Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

National Park Service Commemoration of Women's History Month:

Visit the National Parks (more than 400 exist nationwide) during Women's History Month to learn more about women's contributions to American history and the ongoing contributions being made today, and how the National Parks celebrate Women's History every day! 

Website: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/our-history/ 

Women for Women International: Support women caught in conflict-ridden areas such as Israel-Palestine.

https://support.womenforwomen.org/emergency-support

UN Women:  Delivering programs, policies, and standards that uphold women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential.

https://www.unwomen.org/en

Interested in a career working towards gender equality?

25 Organizations Fighting for Gender Equality | Human Rights Careers