Women’s History Month is celebrated annually each March and this celebration serves as a moment to recognize women's achievements, contributions and struggles throughout history.
The celebration was established in 1980 by former United States President Jimmy Carter, declaring the day of March 8, National Women’s History Week according to the National Geographic Kids web page.
Throughout history, many influential figures have shaped women’s rights in the face of adversity. Leaders like Susan B. Anthony, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Labor Leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta and Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor have made history.
While Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate, it also highlights ongoing disparities that women, particularly women of color, continue to face.
Kayla Le, a fourth-year forensic biology student with a minor in Asian American studies, discusses the pivotal role of women’s voices in shaping the future, particularly those of intersectional feminists and activists of color.
“Women’s voices have always been really important throughout history, but have just really been sidelined in comparison to contributions of men,” Le said.
The inequalities present are wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and barriers to education and healthcare. Gender-based violence and discrimination remain pervasive issues worldwide, according to Our World in Data webpage.
“Particularly intersectional feminists are important in this conversation. So when we talk about activists of color, queer women, women who are in disability justice, I feel like they're shaping how we navigate the world and advocate for equity,” Le said.
San José State has acknowledged Women’s History Month in March annually since 1987 according to SJSU’s Gender and Equity webpage.
The event that set off to start Women’s History Month was Femme Solidarity Open Mic Night featuring Keana Aguila Labra which took place on March 6.
Recently on March 11, another talk was held by the MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center titled, “Her Body, Her Voice: The Battle Against Forced Sterilizations.
This March, Freedom Road Socialist Organization San Jose Revolution, Socialism, Liberation hosted a talk in which labor organizers Emma Tenayuca, Luisa Moreno, Dolores Huerta, and Yolanda López were present to celebrate Revolutionary Chicanas throughout History.
These women have brought many revolutionary changes for the Latina and Chicana communities of color. These individuals are an excellent representation of women in history by standing up and fighting for women's rights.
Hibaq Shaie, a fourth-year psychology student at SJSU, discusses the importance of women's voices in shaping the community’s future. “Today, different movements such as the (#)MeToo movement, where a lot of women are taking control of their voices, their bodies and everything, making sure they tell their stories,” Shaie said.
She said she believes women’s experiences are pivotal for change. The #MeToo movement was founded in 2006 by survivor and activist Tarana Burke to raise awareness and campaign against sexual abuse, sexual harassment and rape culture to empower women to speak and share about their experiences, according to the me too website.
The movement is globally known with a vision from the beginning, which has been to address both the lack of resources for survivors of sexual violence and to build a robust community of advocates and allies, according to the Global Fund for Women webpage. Globally, women have found support and beneficial resources to thrive.
Carmen Estela Kennedy Saleh, an African American Studies Department lecturer at SJSU, shares her insight on the work that women have put in historically. Previously before becoming an educator, Kennedy Saleh mentioned she was a fiction writer.
“ In the current political climate and with the current rolling back of hard work that was put into progress, initiated by women, platformed by women, I do believe that in the current environment, there’s so many things coming at us,” Kennedy Saleh said. “Somebody used the metaphor, it’s like drinking water from a fire hydrant.”
SJSU was first opened as an all-women’s school or a “Normal School” in 1880. It has a strong tradition of supporting women and women’s studies according to an SJSU webpage. With the demand for more trained teachers throughout California, SJSU established the Women’s Studies Program.
Kennedy Saleh said that when women step into activism, the importance of self-care should be a priority, especially during these times. She emphasizes that history continues to repeat itself, people have not learned to listen, and women have the potential to prevent that with voting.
Today, communities are still facing various challenges such as the administration taking away the DEI programs and it’s hard to imagine what they can do with all women’s rights.
“Women’s rights need to be protected,” Kennedy Saleh said. “Ensuring that women's history continues to thrive and to have inclusivity of all women, regardless of race, background, or socioeconomic status.”
