Women's History Month
The 2024 theme for Women's History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion”. The 2024 theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Women from every background have long realized that an uneven playing field will never bring equality or justice. Many feel the critical need to speak up and work harder for fairness in our institutions and social interactions.
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 have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group, or organization-specific. Read more about IWD at internationalwomensday.com.
This year's IWD 2024 theme is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Come celebrate Women's History Month with the Brisbane Library throughout March. The Library will be hosting:
"HerStory Meets YourStory" Poster Workshop Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
This workshop offers a unique blend of historical exploration and personal expression. Participants will be guided through the creation of a poster divided into two halves. One side will represent a specific woman in history, utilizing vibrant colors and artistic elements. The other half will be dedicated to the participant's personal journey, allowing them to artistically and textually bridge the gap between historical inspiration and their own story.
San Mateo County Libraries also has a staff-curated list of books about all sorts of women who have been trailblazers and made positive changes in our world. Check it out on smcl.org here. A reminder that the Brisbane Library is now open 7 days/week: Monday - Thursday 10-8, Friday-Sunday 10-5. Choose to challenge yourself to learn about amazing women anytime throughout the year! And if you're into audiobooks, music, and movies, you can browse all the titles available through San Mateo County Libraries for free using the Hoopla app. Download it today! You just need your library card number to get started.
The 18th Annual Women’s View Art Exhibit is Now Open. The public is invited to view work from more than 40 artists on display in the Caldwell Gallery on the first floor of the San Mateo County Hall of Justice. Admission is free and pieces are for sale. The show runs through April 26, running concurrently with Women’s History Month, and is a collaboration between the Office of Arts and Culture, the Arts Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women. Learn more.
