Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
As we celebrate Women’s History Month in our homes and communities, let us pause to consider the bravery and determination of all the women, activists, mothers, sisters, leaders, and teachers who paved the way for us. For every woman who gets to choose a career path that was once dominated by men, there were pioneers who opened those doors, sometimes at great cost to their relationships and lives. As women, we can encourage each other to live our best lives by opening our doors, our hearts, and our minds to the power of our community. We can make a difference by mentoring other women and by respecting our differences. When we start to applaud the humanity that resides in every woman, and step away from petty conflicts and exaggerated slights, we will achieve much more.
Women’s History Month began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched to improve working conditions, and it celebrates women’s contributions in American history. In 1987, the US Congress expanded it from a weekly to a monthly celebration. Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance (NHWA) has a theme for the occasion. This year, the theme for Women’s History Month 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This recognizes the powerful leadership of women in creating a future that is rooted in equity, justice, and opportunity for all.
NHWA’s Goals are to honor, educate, inspire, connect, and envision Women’s leadership and achievements.
How to Celebrate: Spotlight Local Leaders, Promote Intersections, Take Action, and Use NWHA Resources.
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Womens History Month.Gov
“Don’t think about making women fit the world – think about making the world fit women.” Gloria Steinem, American Journalist & Social-Political Activist
Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
Does Women’s History Matter? Of course it does. You might wonder why I ask … I do so because some of us don’t understand or agree that it’s important. Women’s History Month matters because it reminds us to take a closer look at our journey and collective history and to consider where more work is needed. We celebrate to honor all those unsung women who fought for women’s rights globally, to encourage those women who continue to fearlessly make a difference, and to bring attention to issues/areas where women remain marginalized, such as wage parity, access to education, and economic opportunities globally. Women’s history matters because it is a reminder to share our experiences with our daughters, sisters, and everyone. So, let me reassure you that celebrating the accomplishments of our gender is NOT a negation of the accomplishments of the opposite gender.
When we celebrate Women’s History Month, we also honor International Women’s Day (IWD), observed every March 8th to commemorate women’s fight for equality and liberation, as well as the women’s rights movement. International Women’s Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
While its origins can be traced back to early 20th-century labor movements, NY socialists in 1909 and even Lenin in 1922, 1911 saw the first International Women’s Day rallies in Europe, with over a million women marching.
According to the IWD website, this year marks 115 years of activism, and the 2026 theme is Give To Gain, which emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support.
The overarching aims of IWD are to: Celebrate women’s achievements. Raise awareness. Mobilize action. And Foster solidarity. The movement’s colors are: Purple for justice, dignity, and loyalty. Green for hope and White for sisterhood, solidarity, and purity.
The United Nations has supported and promoted IWD since 1977 with activism and a theme. This year, their theme is Rights. Justice. Action.
Let’s Give to Gain for gender equality.
Give respect
Give donations
Give visibility
Give knowledge
Give funding
Give justice
Give resources
Give a voice
Give protection
Give truth
Give equal pay
Give celebration
Give sponsorship
Give mentoring
Give credit
Give budget
Give introductions
Give workshops
Give opportunities
Give safety
Give training
Give stretch assignments
Give momentum
Give role models
Give growth
Give access
Give time
More Below!
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Michelle Obama
Motivation Mondays: Celebrating Women’s History Month and More…
We celebrate Women’s History Month because we can’t afford to forget the struggle for women’s rights. To forget our collective history would mean to forget the key point of our struggle for gender equity, the right to vote, and the right to an array of freedoms that are still not available to all women globally. We celebrate our history for so many reasons, but we can start by thanking the phenomenal women who matter in our lives. What more can we do? Below are some suggestions from BuildOn. Earlier in this post, the GivetoGain theme included some ways we can give to each other. Go do it!
From Build On: 10 ways to celebrate women’s history month, support women, and make an impact
10. Support women-owned businesses
9. Explore Women’s Art and Culture
8. Amplify Women’s Voices
7. Organize a Book Club Focused on Female Authors
6. Volunteer at Women’s Shelter Organizations
5. Host or Attend Local Events Celebrating Female Voices
4. Support Organizations with Fair Hiring Practices
3. Donate to Support buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program
2. Support Organizations That Fund Women’s Businesses
1. Build a Community School on a buildOn Trek
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” Anne Frank
Positive Motivation Tip: Let’s celebrate all the great women we know who have impacted our lives. Let’s begin by thanking ourselves, our moms, our grandmoms, and our daughters. It Starts with US!
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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: International Women’s Day 2026 via Adobe Stock Free, Celebrating 115 Years via IWD website, Women’s History Month via Stock Free Adobe
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
