Women’s History Month

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month, ranging from March 1st to March 31st, is the time to think back to the monumental female figures who have paved the way not just for their female colleagues, but for future generations as well. Centuries of oppression did not dampen the efforts of the women who tried to break gender molds but rather inspired them to rally and fight for their deserving rights. 

We must remember the amazing women who have led the fight for equality and justice for all. Whether they were activists, writers, or athletes, every woman has contributed a significant amount to the agenda for equality, and this blog will go over some of the GGBA’s favorite influential women.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, born March 6, 1822, is a political activist and abolitionist. She is most well-known for being the conductor of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses, which freed approximately 100,000 slaves. Despite being born into slavery herself, Harriet Tubman escaped and went on to leave a lasting mark in society. During the Civil War, she worked as a nurse and then a spy for the Union Army, continuing her mission in abolition. She is considered the first African American woman to serve in the military, paving the way for women’s service in the military for years to come. Harriet Tubman was also a passionate Women’s Rights activist, working with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in their women’s suffrage agenda. 

Sojourner Truth 

Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Bomfree as a slave in 1797, escaped the horrors of slavery with her child Sophie in 1827. She dedicated her life to advocacy for women’s rights, abolition, and temperance, and her incredible efforts earned her an invitation to meet Abraham Lincoln in 1864. In 1851, Truth began a lecture tour on women’s rights, attempting to advocate for the equality of genders through her words, despite her never going through formal schooling. In the conference at Akron, Ohio, Truth delivered her famous speech “Ain’t I a Woman”, in which she combated against gender stereotypes by pointing out the strengths within herself and other women. 

When the Civil Rights War broke out, Sojourner Truth encouraged young men to join the Union cause and also organized supplies for the black troops in the Union Army. Her mission continued into the 1860s, where she lobbied against segregation in D.C, despite the strong pushback from congressmen. 

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leader of the Women’s Rights Movements, most well-known for organizing the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. The Seneca Falls Convention was a pivotal point in the feminist movement since it was the first conference ever solely dedicated to the discussion of Women’s Rights. From this conference, the Declaration of Sentiments was produced, a Magna Carta for the feminist movement that followed. 

During the Civil War, Stanton aided Susan B. Anthony in the push for the 13th Amendment, which aimed to end slavery. After the Civil War, Stanton toured the country, giving speeches that addressed maternity, child-rearing, divorce law, married women’s property rights, temperance, abolition, and presidential campaigns.

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott, an author known for introducing strong, female heroines to her readers, wrote novels that greatly impacted American Literature. Her most famous novel, Little Women, featured protagonist Jo March, a smart and independent woman whose life goal was not to marry a man—a controversial notion for Alcott’s time. 

Her novels were a symbol of her advocacy for women’s rights, and she published several papers in her life that promoted equality for women. Alcott was also the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Connecticut.

Stacey Abrams

Known as the most prominent African American female in American Politics, Stacey Abrams was the first woman to hold positions in state and national politics.

Stacey Abrams' political advocacy began early in her college years. At Spelman College, Abrams co-founded a student group called Students for African American Empowerment. At the age of 29, Abrams was appointed as Deputy City Attorney for Georgia and became the House Minority Leader in the Georgia House in 2010. 

Stacey Abrams ran for governor of Georgia in 2018, and despite her losing the race, her candidacy itself was historic and inspired many women. She continues to work on voter turnout throughout the country, founding organizations that especially encouraged young, POC voter turnout. Her amazing accomplishments earned her several awards, including the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award (2012) and Friend of Labor Award from the Georgia AFL-CIO.

Takeaways

Even though March is Women’s History Month, every month of the year should celebrate women as well. The five women mentioned in this article are in no way exhaustive of the many women that have contributed to women’s rights, politics, literature, and so much more. By remembering the women in history that have accomplished such amazing things, young women can realize how much they can do. In no way is the fight for gender equality over, but progress has been made.