March is Women’s History Month, and it is a dedicated time to honor the trailblazers who have relentlessly pursued gender equality, shaping the fabric of American society. Throughout history, these women have opened the doors of opportunity for generations of dreamers and doers.
A Bit of History About Women Making History?
Honoring Women’s History was originally celebrated locally in Santa Rosa, California, for one week starting March 8, 1978. Molly Murphy McGregor, a local teacher in Santa Rosa, led the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women and organized a weeklong, annual celebration dedicated to women’s history. In July of the same year, historian Gerda Lerner chaired a 15-day conference on women’s history at Sarah Lawrence College, which was co-sponsored by the Women’s Action Alliance and the Smithsonian Institution.
The news of this movement swiftly spread across the country, and many communities started organizing their Women’s History Week the following year. After an alliance of many women’s groups and historians victoriously lobbied for national acknowledgment in 1980, President Jimmy Carter officially declared the week of March 8, 1980, National Women’s History Week. It didn’t take long before the one-week celebration turned into one month.
Successive presidents carried on with National Women’s History Week in March until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating the month of March as Women’s History Month. This was an exciting and promising time for women in the United States.
Why Is Women’s History Month Important?
While different countries choose to celebrate Women’s History at different times, the United States continues to celebrate during March each year. This month presents an opportunity to honor the extraordinary achievements, contributions, and efforts that women of all backgrounds and walks of life have made throughout the history of the United States. We celebrate the countless women who fought for equality, justice, and opportunity. These women have inspired future generations to continue pursuing progress and empowerment for all women.
What Impact Does Women’s History Month Have in 2024
According to the National Women’s History Alliance, the 2024 Women’s History Month theme is dedicated to “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” This theme highlights the crucial efforts of women dedicated to fostering bias-free and inclusive environments. Across diverse industries, from educational institutions, healthcare, non-profit organizations, commercial firms, and government, women champion fairness, equality, justice, freedom, and opportunity, influencing policies from grassroots organizations to state and national legislation. This theme underscores the significance of recognizing women driving change in government, community groups, workplaces, legislative bodies, and beyond. By honoring these advocates, we acknowledge their pivotal role in shaping societal norms, promoting diversity, and advancing the principles of equity and inclusion for future generations.
A.R. Brouwer Makes a Difference
A.R. Brouwer Company believes in equality and empowering women to join the architectural, engineering, and construction industries. This belief starts at the top. Our President, Steve Brouwer, and his wife empowered their three daughters to pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. All three chose to study and work as engineers.
While it is widely known that construction is a male-dominated field, the push for women to join the industry is stronger than ever. Recruiting more women brings fresh ideas and new ways of thinking to the industry. At A.R. Brouwer, women make up almost 50 percent of our staff. We also provide many resources and opportunities for all who want to pursue a career in construction.
Our company emphasizes teamwork and mentorship, so all members of the A.R. Brouwer understand they are an equal part of the team. Additionally, many of our employees mentor high school and college students. Furthermore, many have participated in STEM educational programs.
Celebrating this year’s Women’s History Month reminds us of our society’s progress. However, there’s still a long way to go and much to be done to improve and create equal opportunities for women and girls. A.R. Brouwer is committed to doing its part in empowering women to pursue careers in construction.
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