March is National Women's History Month

March 8 is International Women's Day and the month of March celebrates Women’s History Month—commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role that women play in our history. Today it is more important than ever to instill the message of persistence, empowerment and equality in our youth.These past years, we saw the rise of the “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” Movements that that have impacts here in Connecticut as well. Our town and our state have much to be proud of, but there is a lot that needs to be done. Ella Grasso was the first woman in the nation to be elected Governor in her own right, and on our Town Council, 5 of the 9 seats are held by women. However, women still hold fewer than 30% of the state legislature.

According to the National Archives, Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated the entire 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, and since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating March as such.

The designation of March as Women’s History Month coincides with International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on March 8th. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. International Women's Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Today, the celebration is worldwide. 

I am proud to do my part as Mayor to represent all that our society has achieved, and to carry the torch further as we strive to make our world a better place for our daughters, granddaughters, and our community as a whole. My hope is that one day we will achieve full gender parity in representation across all sectors, whether political, corporate or otherwise.

This March, as you should every day of the year, I urge you to do your part to recognize the strong women in your life who have helped you get to where you are, and ask how you can help them in turn.