This year’s Women’s History Month highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of women amid significant political changes and challenges to their rights.
This year’s Women’s History Month arrives against a backdrop of considerable political and social changes impacting women’s rights, particularly in light of recent Supreme Court decisions and policies enacted by the previous administration.
March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. This observance has its roots in the early 1900s women’s suffrage movement, which sought to secure voting rights and equal treatment for women. The efforts of feminists advocating for social and legal equality laid the groundwork for what would later become Women’s History Week, first established in Santa Rosa, California, and ultimately recognized as a month-long celebration across the United States.
This year, Women’s History Month unfolds in a cultural landscape deeply affected by political changes, particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 2022 case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This landmark decision overturned the federal right to abortion, raising questions about the permanence of gains achieved by earlier feminist movements and sparking ongoing discussions about women’s rights in America.
The political climate has been further complicated by actions taken during the Trump administration, which many advocates argue have rolled back protections and support systems for women. In his first week in office, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at limiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These policies have had profound implications for universities across the country, particularly for programs in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Dr. Sina Kramer, chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies department, commented on the detrimental effects of these cuts. “The attacks have been sort of, I think, devastating to Women’s and Gender Studies departments across the country and to ethnic studies departments across the country,” she stated. The impact of these policy changes has been particularly acute for women of color, who have historically benefited from protections in federal employment.
According to Kramer, “Black women had high representation in the federal workforce because the federal workforce actually has anti-discrimination protections that are enforced. So cuts to DEI were cuts to women’s wages, and specifically, Black women’s wages.” Reports indicate that between February and July 2020 alone, over 300,000 jobs held by Black women were lost due to federal workforce reductions linked to these policies.
Samyuta Maradani, co-founder and president of Women in Business, reflected on the evolving workplace culture for women, particularly women of color. “It’s been interesting to see in business spaces, because now it’s like we have to tone down ourselves even more,” Maradani remarked, attributing this shift to the limitations imposed by the current administration. The need for resilience and community-building among women has never been more pronounced, as emphasized by Maradani during Women’s History Month.
“We didn’t have access to those communities, so we had to create them ourselves,” she said. Maradani expressed hope that her organization could foster a supportive network for professional women, emphasizing the necessity of creating spaces that acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by women in business.
Nadia Bernal, a health and human sciences major and president of the Marians Service Organization, is actively advocating for women’s rights on and off campus. Her organization, traditionally focused on breast cancer awareness, is expanding its mission to address a broader range of women’s health issues, including endometriosis and reproductive rights.
“Historically, Marians has focused on breast cancer awareness … but I also want to look at endometriosis, at PCOS, at reproductive rights [and] at abortion care,” Bernal noted. She underscored the importance of Women’s History Month as a time to reflect on the ongoing struggles for women’s freedoms and rights.
On March 24, the Marians Service Organization will host an event titled “Feminists in Politics,” aimed at discussing women’s representation in leadership roles and empowering attendees to engage with their political representatives. “For our organization specifically, not only do we like to celebrate those accomplishments … but it’s also a kind of a sign or an indication that we still had to fight for these rights,” Bernal stated. The event will serve as a platform for recognizing the achievements of women while also acknowledging the work that remains.
As Women’s History Month unfolds, advocates and organizations are calling for continued reflection, celebration, and activism. The month serves as a reminder of both the progress made by women in society and the challenges that persist, reinforcing the necessity of solidarity and action in the ongoing fight for gender equality, according to GlobalNetNews.