NOVA Celebrates Women’s History Month

Have you ever wondered why we have so many themed months throughout the year? Right now we are transitioning from Black History Month (Feb.) to Women’s History Month (March), and then on to Celebrate Diversity Month (April) and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May). Designated months serve to remind us of particular heritages and histories that have often been ignored or erased. Celebrating these special months is an act of resistance in light of this erasure. As we honor the achievements of different communities, we honor one another’s histories and inspire one another to persist despite adversity. (Pro-Tip: If you need help keeping track of all the theme months, click here for NOVA’s Celebrate Diversity Everyday Calendar!)

Women’s History Month provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and honor the achievements of women past and present, as well as raise awareness about different issues affecting women today.

Women’s History Month falls in March because of many historical events that transpired during this month:

• International Women’s Day (March 8) was established as a holiday in 1911.
• The first major march on Washington by suffragists happened on March 3, 1913.
• The National Women’s Party, a group dedicated to achieving voting rights for women, was formed in March 1917.
• Title IX was passed on March 1, 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination due to sex in federally funded education programs. (P.S., Have you met NOVA’s new Title IX Coordinator, Laura Buchs?)
• The Equal Rights Amendment was passed in the Senate on March 22, 1972.

NOVA is celebrating Women’s History Month this year through several events and programs happening on all of our campuses. Click here for an ongoing list that will be updated regularly. If you know of an event that should be listed, please email Sherrene (SDeLong@nvcc.edu).

Submitted by:
Sherrene DeLong, DEI-Events Coord., SDeLong@nvcc.edu