March 17, 2025 by Allison Richard (‘26)
Women’s History Month, celebrated every March, is a dedicated time to recognize the contributions of women throughout history across various fields, the everyday women in this world today and to advocate for women’s rights. This month provides an opportunity to highlight women who have reached achievements, made discoveries, or worked hard to shape the lives of the female race across the globe.
the seneca falls convention- source: The Zoe Report
In the United States, the movement for women’s suffrage gained momentum in the mid 1800s. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 is often seen as the starting point of the organized women’s rights movement. At this convention, key figures such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott drafted the Declaration of Sentiments which called for equal social, civil, and religious rights for women- such as the right to vote. Over the years, more women joined the movement, including famous figures like Susan B. Anthony, advocating for their rights through rallies, speeches, and writing. The perseverance and drive of women like this pushed for the 19th Amendment to be passed, soon giving women gained the right to vote in 1919. This Amendment opened the door for women to exercise their rights in politics and helped them acquire the platforms for endless achievements and advancements in society.
In the modern-day world, women have continued to pave the way for their gender. For instance in the entertainment industry, Kathryn Bigelow was the first female to win the Academy Award for best director in her work “The Hurt Locker” in 2009, followed by the second, more recent winner Chloe Zhao, who won the Academy Award for Best Director in 2021. These women blazed a trail for women in the cinematic industry. Similarly, the athletic world has continuously celebrated the success of female athletes, including Simone Biles and her advocacy for mental health awareness, demonstrating that women continue to break barriers and redefine standards in any field worldwide; and even one of the newer additions to the Professional Basketball world, Caitlin Clark, who is a NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer and now one of the faces of women’s basketball.
left (source: abc13.com) right (source: newsweek.com)
Women’s History month is a celebration of female strength and accomplishments, and their influence on our world. There are so many women who have paved paths in science and math, like Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace, music like Madonna, Whitney Huston and even Taylor Swift, and activism like Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, young Environmentalist Greta Thunberg, and Malala Yousafzai, a face in activism for female education. Want to know more about famous women in history? Visit www.marieclaire.com/culture/g19444830/famous-women-in-history/.
Saratoga Springs, New York, has its own rich history involving notable women. One prominent figure is Marylou Whitney, born in 1925 and died in 2019, a philanthropist and community leader known for her contributions to the arts and local charities. She was a prominent owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses and a large figure in Saraotoga’s local horse-racing culture. Whitney’s impact on the community through donations to charity and help promoting cultural events set an inspiring example of women’s influence in local history. Additionally, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center regularly hosts performances highlighting female artists, with bands like The Chicks or musical figures like Cynthia Erivo making appearances at the venue and creating a platform for women in the arts. Efforts like this reflect Saratoga’s recognition of women’s contributions both historically and in modern day society.
source: saratogaliving.com
Women’s History Month serves as a reminder of the significant achievements and contributions of women throughout history. By reflecting on events inside and outside March, society can appreciate the ongoing impact of women, and how important their rights are in our ever changing world. Celebrating women’s history and current women’s empowerment not only honors the past but inspires future leaders to continue breaking barriers, and inspires young, ordinary girls to dream big and know the sky’s the limit.