ST. LOUIS — Women's History Month originated from a week-long celebration of women's contributions to history, society, and culture.
The idea for Women's History Week was said to have first been proposed by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women in 1978. They planned the event around March 8th, International Women's Day.
The movement gained traction nationally, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women's History Week. In the years following, Congress passed resolutions to expand the celebration to a month-long observance. In 1987, Congress declared March as Women's History Month, which has been observed annually in the United States ever since.