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Women's History Month
Women’s History Month originated 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.” Since 1995, presidents have issued annual proclamations designating March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations highlight the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the often overlooked achievements of women across various fields in our history. This national celebration will likely continue evolving.
SPOTLIGHT: Angela Davis
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1944, Angela Davis is an African-American political activist, scholar, and author. After completing her PhD in philosophy, Davis became involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Black Panther Party, and her local chapter of the Communist Party. She rose to national prominence after her alleged involvement in violence during the Soledad Brothers’ 1970 trial. After briefly being on the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted” list, Davis was arrested and spent 18 months in prison before being acquitted. Her time in prison led her to become an advocate for criminal justice reform. Her interests lie in the intersection of women’s rights, racial inequality, and the systemic inequalities perpetrated by capitalism. Davis came out as lesbian in the 1990s and remains a staunch advocate of the LGBTQ community. Davis held tenure as the Distinguished Professor Emerita of the History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz prior to retiring in 2008. She is the acclaimed author of books such as Women, Race & Class and Freedom is a Constant Struggle.
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