March: National Women’s History Month

National Women’s History Month has been celebrated in the month of March since 1987 to celebrate and honor women in our country’s past, present, and future. Since women’s suffrage in 1920, women have been taking major steps in society to reach the level of respect and equality they deserve. It is somewhat disheartening that it has been an entire century since women earned the right to vote, and women still struggle to receive equal pay and many still experience some degree of sexism each and every day. In order to support and encourage the gradual, but significant, progress women have made over the last century, we celebrate women and their history in the month of March.
Here is a quick rundown of major steps women have taken since earning the right to vote in 1920. In 1932, Amelia Earhart flew across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping, by herself. Earhart was the first woman to do this, and only the second pilot ever to do so. In 1955, Rosa Parks did not give up her seat to a white man who demanded her to do so. This, in turn, sparked the civil rights movement, and within just one year, segregation was deemed illegal within the city bus system. In 1960, the FDA approved the first mass-produced birth control pill available to women across the world. Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick are to credit for this huge step in women’s health and women’s rights. In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. She was sworn in by President Ronald Reagan. In 1983, Sally Ride became the first woman from the United States to go to outer space. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi was named the first-ever female speaker of the house, and she still holds the title today. Finally, in 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first female candidate in any major political party to win in the presidential primary election.
Women have overcome so much, but as you can see, there are some very recent dates in this historical rundown. We have more work to do, we have more “firsts” to claim, and we have more norms to fight. The future for women is bright because women are strong and persistent fighters. Women deserve the right to make decisions for themselves and their own bodies, even if there are financial issues present. That is why at A Step Ahead East Tennessee, we offer birth control to women who do not have the funds or the proper insurance to afford it. We also offer rides to and from appointments, so women who don’t own a working vehicle can still get the medication they deserve. Learn more about our services on our website and find out how you can help in the fight for every woman to be the best she can be.