Amidst the negativity and crises occurring this past month, women across the world spend March celebrating their powerful ancestors and the women around them. International Women’s Day, March 8, takes place for one day in Women’s History Month. Countries including the U.S., Australia and the U.K. have celebrated International Women’s Day for over 100 years, but the United Nations did not recognize it until 1975, almost 65 years after the first celebration.

Even after being recognized by an international organization, March 8 did not receive the appreciation it deserved. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women kicked off the celebration of women by hosting a celebration in Santa Rosa, California. This slowly transformed into a Women’s History Week that President Jimmy Carter nationally accepted in 1980.

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well,” President Jimmy Carter said while formally naming the week of March 8 Women’s History Week. 

In 1987, Congress finally deemed March as National Women’s History Month and requested that each president recognized this. 30 years later, this month still celebrates women across the globe. From the United Kingdom to the United Arab Emirates, concerts, movie theatres and art exhibits commemorate the amazing work of women throughout history. In the United States, Washington D.C. holds an annual Business Inspiring Women’s Conference that includes a gala, debates and business coaching. Locally, Google hosts a women’s celebration in Midtown on March 21. Atlanta Technical College holds a program for the holiday, as well as Lanier Technical College. 

After generations of women’s work and influences passing by unnoticed, around the world, a great number of celebrations recognize the amazing contributions women have made. Young women now grow up seeing that they are celebrated for their contributions.