Women's History Month: Honouring History, Celebrating Progress

March is Women’s History Month! So, we’re taking this opportunity to reflect on the long and arduous journey women have faced (and continue to face) in their fight for equality. We’ll dive into early hardships and the role Hollywood plays in the portrayal and expectations of women, but then we shift to progress, evolution, and celebration. From the origins of Women’s History Month and the leaders who paved the way to the changing role of women across the globe, we illuminate the hope for a better, more equal future.

Women and equality are big and daunting issues, but let’s tackle it one conversation at a time, like this article.

Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash

Early Hardships and Oppression

For as long as we can remember, society has pushed women into domestic roles. They were often denied chances to take part in public life. Laws and customs have restricted access to education, property ownership, and employment opportunities. In many cultures, married women are often seen as the property of their husbands, with few legal rights over their children or earnings.

One of the most significant struggles women faced was their inability to vote. The suffrage movement gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries in various countries, led by prominent activists such as Emmeline Pankhurst in the United Kingdom, Louisa Lawson in Australia, and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain in South Asia. New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893, followed by others in the early 20th century.

However, other nations took way longer to achieve suffrage for women. In Switzerland, women only gained full voting rights in 1971, while Saudi Arabian authorities granted women the right to vote in 2015. 2015?! I’m scratching my head writing this…

Hollywood and the Male Gaze: The Battle for Representation

Have you heard of the term, “male gaze”? Media like film, TV, and magazines often show women from a male viewpoint. They focus on beauty and sexual appeal but often undermine their depth and complexity. The biggest culprit of this portrayal of women is the giant machine known as Hollywood.

The Evolution of Female Representation

For decades, female film characters were often just love interests or damsels in distress. They were sometimes portrayed as hyper-sexualized figures who served the male heroes. Even top actresses like Margot Robbie and Sydney Sweeney (insert your favourite actress here) often get typecast. They face roles that focus more on looks than on their acting skills.

A positive shift has occurred in recent years. Films like Black Widow (2021) with Scarlett Johansson, Woman King (2022) with Viola Davis, and Barbie (2023) with Margot Robbie are breaking stereotypes. They showcase strong female characters who drive the story. These films focus on their skills, talent, and depth, rather than just their looks. More female filmmakers and writers are getting more chances. This means women’s stories can be told with authenticity and depth. The global film industry, including Bollywood, Nollywood, and South Korean cinema, is changing how women are represented.

Several symbols are used to represent Women’s History Month and International Women's Day. The Venus symbol represents women and femininity. The raised fist embodies empowerment, strength, and resistance against gender inequality. The colours purple, green, and white come from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK. Purple stands for justice and dignity, green represents hope, and white means purity.   Other symbols are: ·       The equal sign (=) for gender equality. ·       The butterfly or dove represents freedom and progress. ·       A globe with women holding hands to show international solidarity.

The Origins of Women's History Month

From the silver screen to the global stage, we take it back to Women’s History Month. The movement began with International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated on March 8 since the early 1900s. A group of socialist activists and labour organizers led this effort. They fought for better working conditions, fair wages, and voting rights for women.

Who started it? When and where?

The first National Woman's Day took place in the U.S. on February 28, 1909, organized by the Socialist Party of America. The idea of International Women's Day was formally proposed the next year by Clara Zetkin, a German activist. She brought it up at the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. The first official IWD celebrations took place in 1911 across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

Women’s History Month grew as a way to recognize women’s achievements and issues for more than just one day. In 1987, various governments and organizations officially started recognizing March as Women’s History Month. This followed a resolution from Congress in the United States. Canada, the U.K., and Australia also dedicate the month to celebrating women’s contributions.

To put it in perspective, humans and our ancestors have walked the earth for 6 million years. The earliest forms of government started 3,100 years ago (ancient Mesopotamia). And yet, the women’s rights movement started only in the past century.

Leaders who paved the way

Shout out to these brave women for shaping the movement for women’s rights worldwide:

• Emmeline Pankhurst (UK) – a leader in the British suffragette movement.
• Nellie McClung (Canada) – led the fight for women’s voting rights in Canada.
• Gloria Steinem (USA) – a pioneering feminist and journalist who fought for gender equality.
• Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) – advocated for girls' education worldwide.
• Wangari Maathai (Kenya) – Nobel laureate who championed environmental and women’s rights.
• Simone de Beauvoir (France) – a philosopher and writer who laid the groundwork for feminist theory.
• Jin Xing (China) – A transgender icon and advocate for women’s rights in Chinese media.

Thanks to these women and many others working behind the scenes, we are seeing a global shift towards equality that we enjoy today.

The Changing Role of Women Worldwide

With time, persistence, and community engagement, women’s roles are evolving dramatically around the world. We can always improve, but it's important to recognize the progress women have made in education, employment, politics, and leadership.

• Workforce & leadership – More women are joining STEM fields, politics, and executive roles than ever. The first female head of government, Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, paved the way for female leadership worldwide.
• Equal pay & maternity rights – Many countries are working to close the gender wage gap. Iceland leads the way in enhancing parental leave and closing the pay gap between genders.
• Women in patriarchal societies are breaking old customs and fighting for their rights. Movements like #MeToo have changed the world. They have influenced policies and attitudes in many countries, including India, Brazil, and Japan.

How the world is celebrating women.

Here are some of the key ways people are recognizing women’s achievements:

• Educational initiatives – Schools and universities organize talks, lectures, and events on women’s history and achievements.
• Corporate acknowledgment – Many companies celebrate female employees. They also provide mentorship programs and support women-owned businesses.
• Protests & advocacy – Activists and groups fight for equal rights, fair pay, and reproductive rights.
• Cultural events – These include exhibitions, film screenings, and festivals that celebrate women’s contributions to art, science, and politics.
• Government recognition – Countries like Rwanda, Sweden, and New Zealand have gender-equity policies that set global standards.

The photo shows Flora Dodge "Fola" La Follette (1882-1970), a suffrage and labour activist. It also features Rose Livingston, a social reformer and missionary, along with a young striker from a garment strike in New York City in 1913. 

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

As a man reflecting on women and equality, I write with caution. I acknowledge that I do not feel as knowledgeable as I could be, but perhaps this is the sentiment we, as men, should experience to start change. Men still dominate the workforce, command higher incomes, and receive more regard than women. Women’s equality is part of a global push for change, alongside Black, Asian, and LGBTQ+ rights. We are making progress.

Women’s History Month is a time to honour the past, celebrate progress, and continue pushing for a fairer future. The journey for gender equality is still happening. Women everywhere show resilience, strength, and achievements that improve societies. When we acknowledge and support women’s contributions, we get closer to a world where gender does not limit opportunities and rights.

Take this time to learn about the brave women who led the charge by clicking on the links above or doing your own personal research. Listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos, and join local groups or friends. Celebrate women and support equal rights and fair treatment.

You don’t need to be a social activist to celebrate women. Make it fun! Join a dance class at PULSE. Our skilled female teachers will empower you and help you show your support for women through dance.

Jump into one of our women-led Hip Hop classes by signing up for one of our classes today!

Written By

@marcgeneroso