Awarenesses Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It grew out of a weeklong celebration in the school district of Sonoma, California that started in 1978. President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring National Women’s History Week in 1980, growing to a monthlong celebration beginning in 1987.
National Reading Month
Celebrated the month of Dr. Suess’s birthday on March 2, the importance of reading and the power of learning through reading has a long history. Back in 1634, Anne Hutchinson formed the first women’s book club to discuss weekly sermons. National Reading Month was first celebrated in March in 1994.
Developmental Disability Awareness Month Historically, those with developmental disabilities were treated poorly. That changed during the social reforms of the 19th century when advocates such as Dorothy Dix became leaders in respecting the human rights of people with disabilities. National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month was finally designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. World Water Day March 22 is designated by the United Nations as World Water Day and calls for focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and managing sustainable freshwater resources. It was first proposed in 1992 and first celebrated in 1993. Globally, women and girls spend 200 million hours each day collecting the water their families need to survive, keeping them from spending time on opportunities to earn an income or go to school, linking the issue of sustainable freshwater and gender equality. Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month is observed every year in March. It has its roots in the 1948 founding of the National Hemophilia Foundation by Robert and Betty J. Henry after their son was diagnosed with this bleeding disorder. In March of 1986, President Ronald Reagan declared March Hemophilia Awareness Month. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated it Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month to raise awareness of all inheritable blood and bleeding disorders.
Holidays and Observances
International Women of Color Day is March 1 each year. First observed in 1991, it was organized by Suzanne Brooks. International Women of Color Day has roots that reach back to at least 1985 to honor women of color and work toward ending the racism plus sexism they have endured.
March 4 is World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation. It was first started in 2009 as a global movement to end human trafficking. More than one million people are thought to be exploited annually, most being women and children. The primary goal of the movement is to unite the world to end all forms of sexual exploitation. Women in Construction Week is celebrated March 5 - 11, to highlight the contributions of women in the industry. The theme this year is Many Paths, One Mission, and it celebrates the different journeys women have taken toward the goal of strengthening and amplifying the success of women in the construction industry. National Dentist’s Day is March 6, celebrating the men and women who work for our dental health and encouraging those who may have avoided going to the dentist to come in for a checkup. International Women’s Day on March 8 is the global day celebrating the many achievements of women and supporting action against gender inequality. Inequity occurs in nearly every aspect of life. For example, while women make up close to half the world's population, 259 million fewer women have access to the Internet than men. Embrace equality to create a gender equal world. Harriet Tubman Day is celebrated on March 10, commemorating the former slave who fought to free other slaves. It has been a national holiday in the U.S. since 1990. She was one of the most famous "conductors" of the Underground Railroad. International Day of Women Judges is also on March 10, observed to promote equal and complete participation of women at all levels of the judiciary. The United Nations resolution creating it was adopted in April, 2021. Certified Nurses Day is on March 19. It was created in 2008 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and they chose March 19 because it was the birthdate of Dr. Margretta Madden Styles, a pioneer in the area of nursing certification. March 21 is World Social Work Day and is celebrated annually on the third Tuesday in March. America’s history includes the awarding in 1931 of social work pioneer Jane Addams with a Nobel Peace Prize, one of the first women to receive the honor. Celebrating this day provides an opportunity to acknowledge how communities can make powerful actions that lead to inclusive social transformation. Fun Days World Compliment Day is March 1, thanks to Dutch founder Hans Poortvliet Old Stuff Day on March 2 is a day to clean out your closets, garages, and other places of clutter in your lives I Want You to be Happy Day is on March 3, and is a great time to brighten someone’s day with a simple act of kindness Napping Day on March 13 is when you can recover from springing forward during yesterday’s time change Everything You Think is Wrong Day is March 15, even if you think it isn’t, and it’s a day to help people realize they aren’t always right Everything You Do is Right Day on March 16 reminds us that despite yesterday’s celebration, everything is going to be all right. Awkward Moments Day is observed on March 18, so you can laugh off any unfortunate actions on your part Let’s Laugh Day on March 19 is a time to giggle through a 24-hour joke-fest World Storytelling Day happens annually on March 20, celebrating the art of storytelling National Common Courtesy Day reminds us on March 21 that simple things can make a difference in others’ lives International Goof Off Day makes March 22 a day to find time to unwind and enjoy yourself Take a Walk in the Park Day on March 30 encourages us to put on some comfy shoes and take a healthy walk in nature
Historical Events
This month's historical events highlight women in our history.
March 3, 1913: A women’s suffrage march in Washington, D.C., was attacked while police stood by March 4, 1933: Newly elected president Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural address. His cabinet included the first woman to be appointed to a Cabinet post: Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor March 10, 1903: Claire Boothe Luce was born in New York City. She went on to become a playwright, serve in the House of Representatives from 1943 to 1947, and became the first woman appointed as U.S. Ambassador to a major country (Italy). March 12, 1993: Janet Reno is sworn in as the first female Attorney General of the United States March 12, 1994: The Church of England ordained 32 women as its first female priests March 14, 1833: Lucy Hobbs was born in New York State. In 1866, she was the first woman to receive her degree from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. March 22, 1972: The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Senate and sent to the states for ratification. It was only ratified by 35 states, failing to reach the required 38 states by the extended deadline that was set for June 1982. March 25, 1911: A fire inside a New York City garment factory killed 123 low-paid young women, along with 23 men March 31, 1776: Future First Lady Abigail Adams pens a plea to the Continental Congress to “remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” | 
