Women Volunteer Organization: Celebrating Women's History Month

The role of women in history has often been overlooked, and Women's History Month celebrates the forgotten contributions that women have made for this country. Women's History Month encourages activities in schools, communities, and workplaces to remind the population of the important role women have played in the development of the country, and hopes to inspire great things for the future.

In 1987, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the existing National Women's History Week into a month, which is now celebrated in March. The theme for 2009 will be Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet and will honor those who have shown a leadership role in the environmental movement. The theme last year was Women's Art: Women's Vision which honored women in the arts for their originality, imagination, and vision.

Women's History Month can be celebrated in many ways. Schools can be asked to acknowledge Women's History Month through activities, essays, or art contests to make students aware of the commemoration. Women's History Month promotional materials can be contributed to schools, libraries, or bookstores. Local papers can be encouraged to feature community programs that celebrate Women's History Month. Participating in the Live Your Dreams Campaign art contest is another example of how to celebrate Women's History Month. This contest challenges students from Kindergarten to 12th grade to draw a special woman and to artistically express why she inspires them.

International Women's Day is commemorated throughout the world as an occasion to acknowledge women's struggles and celebrate their many accomplishments. Many women organization recognize and celebrate women's achievements and inspires women to live their dreams and encourages them to pass on their good fortune to others.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor. Celebrating Women's History Month notes examples of how to commemorate Women's History Month. Liveyourdreamcampaign.org sponsors an art contest for children in honor of the month.