Did you know that the inception of National Women’s History Month started right in our own backyard of Sonoma County?

According to the National Women’s History Alliance, in 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated Women’s History Week. March 8th, International Women’s Day, was chosen as the focal point of celebration, which culminated with a parade and program held in the center of downtown Santa Rosa.

In 1979, a member of the Sonoma group joined the Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. This group initiated similar celebrations within their own organizations, communities, and school districts and supported an effort to secure a “National Women’s History Week.”

With bipartisan congressional support, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. However, each year, the dates of celebration changed, and every year a new lobbying effort was needed.

It wasn’t until 1987, with the support of 14 states that had already declared March as Women’s History Month, that Congress formally declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. Now, a special Presidential Proclamation is issued annually to honor the achievements of our American women.

And each year, the National Women’s History Alliance develops a special theme for celebration.

This year the theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”. How apropos for CMC to be celebrating!

As we continue to be women providing healing and promoting hope to women who need our encouragement and support, please join me in celebrating National Women’s History Month.

Lynne Srinivasan
Board President, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic