My Brief Opinion on Women's History Month

Women’s history isn’t taught as a part of history in our general education endeavors. There are the few women we have stumbled across like, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth and maybe a little of Joan of Ark. Although there is a plethora of history propagated to women, we haven’t heard the whole story.

Women’s rights were always to be fought for regardless of time. As stated on Wikipedia, in regards to Women’s History, “History was written mainly by men and about men's activities in the public sphere—war, politics, diplomacy and administration. Women are usually excluded and, when mentioned, are usually portrayed in sex-stereotypical roles, such as wives, mothers, daughters and mistresses.” In the Bible, the Old Testament, we have the book of Ruth where Ruth is shown to be submissive and playing the role a woman should. Her sister is seen as a rebel to the traditional role of a woman and is shunned by the men.

There aren’t many advertisements honoring Women’s History in the month of March. It’s as though women gracing the cover of magazines and being the main characters, besides the product, in commercials is enough and their isn’t a need for just a bit more for the month. We need better education on the history of women and more motivation to create history for future women to thrive better. The majority of people don’t know about the existence of Women’s History Month. I know, as individuals, we have our own personal problems to worry about but we are affected by social issues as a whole.

Action needs to be taken. We spend our downtime complaining about the pitfalls of our day but don’t think of a solution. What will be your solution when women are no longer able to be seen as equal counterparts? As a woman, know your history. You must know the victories as to how you arrived where you are today. Know the history of how women gained acknowledgement in male-dominated workplaces. Know the history of the women that endured the worst parts of the movement so the women we are today is the best woman we can be or even better.

I’m still learning about everything that I possibly can, especially on women. I know enough to know that I don’t know everything but I have some type of knowledge. This is my brief opinion on Women’s History Month and my continued call to women to uplift each other and become a collective. Knowing your history will give one the ability to forge a greater future. “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.” –Audre Lorde