Women's History Month | Periscope

Why do we celebrate Women's History Month during the month of March?

In 1987, an act of Congress designated the month of March as Women's History Month. During the month, schools and communities celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. Although the official observation of Women's History Month is relatively recent, it owes part of its inspiration to an event called National Women's Day first celebrated in 1909.

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson | Periscope
Mamie "Peanut" Johnson | Periscope
Episode 5

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Mamie "Peanut" Johnson challenged the traditional role of female athletes by entering the men's Negro Major League in 1953. She was the only female pitcher and only one of three women to play in the...
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 - 1955) | Periscope
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 - 1955) | Periscope
Episode 5

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Educator Mary McLeod Bethune began a school for needy African Americans in 1904 with $1.50, five students, and a passion to teach. Her school became Bethune-Cookman College and currently has over 2...
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) | Periscope
Episode 6

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At 19 months old, Helen Keller suffered an extreme fever that made her sight and hearing impaired. She became a national spokesperson for the physically disabled by writing books, giving speeches, and...
March for the Right to Vote Held in 1913 | Periscope
March for the Right to Vote Held in 1913 | Periscope
Episode 6

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By the 1890s, four states had given women the right to vote and many states would follow. The women's rights movement was beginning to have an impact. The 20th century saw more progress towards women...
Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937) | Periscope
Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937) | Periscope
Episode 7

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In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1931, she broke the men's and women's altitude record, flying at 18,415 feet above ground. As the first president of...
Rosa Parks (1913 - 2005) | Periscope
Rosa Parks (1913 - 2005) | Periscope
Episode 8

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In 1955, Rosa Parks sat in the "white only" section of a bus in Alabama as a way to tell the world that she was opposed to segregation. This inspired a boycott of the bus system that lasted over a...