Throughout each year, many well-known holidays are celebrated including Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Earth Day, to name a few. Many people may not know that the month of March is dedicated and celebrated as Women’s History Month.

According to womenshistorymonth.gov, Women’s History Month began in 1981 when a law was passed to declare a chosen week as Women’s History Week. From there, Congress continued to further this holiday up until 1987 when the month of March officially became Women’s History Month. Since then, more has been done to further this.

According to a press release, in recognition of this holiday this year, the university’s Department of History and Political Science has coordinated lectures and presentations throughout the month of March. 

According to Department Head of the Department of History and Political Science Dr. William Robison, the celebration of Women’s History Month began about 15 years ago. “Southeastern’s observance of Women’s History Month originated back in 2001 in the Department of English thanks to [former professor] Carole McAllister and some of her students,” said Robison. “Carole asked the Department of History and Political Science (HIPS) to get involved, which we were happy to do, and as time went on, HIPS gradually took the leading role in organizing it.” 

Robison further explained how the celebration has brought different university departments together and has featured women’s history throughout many topics. 

“Since 2001, almost every department on campus has participated at one time or another,” said Robison. “Over the years, the programs have featured not only talks about women’s history but also talks by women ‘making history’ in the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, nursing and science.”

Robison and other faculty members feel that it is important to celebrate Women’s History Month, due to inequality. 

“There is still gender inequality, which is one reason why Women’s History Month is important,” said Robinson. 

English instructor Chance Harvey, who is currently focusing her research on women’s rights advocate Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, feels that although women’s rights have come a long way, there is still more to be done, and the celebration of Women’s History Month serves a great purpose. 

“Since Elizabeth Lyle Saxon (1832-1915) spoke before the Louisiana Constitutional Convention in New Orleans in 1879 to argue for women’s voting rights, the advancement of women in the United States has been dramatic,” said Harvey. “However, significant inequalities remain, particularly in the pay gap between men and women and in particular, women of color. Our public celebration of women’s history during this month is an important reminder of both women’s progress and the need to address existing disparities.”

Students also see the importance of celebrating Women’s History Month. Junior art major Gregory Griffith, in particular, views it as an opportunity. 

“I think that having a month for women gives everyone a time to really appreciate the progressiveness of women’s rights compared to how it used to be,” said Griffith.

As the month comes to a close, only two events remain including “How Depictions of Careers for Women Have Evolved on Television” by languages and communication associate professor Carol Madere and “Mary Magdalene, the Da Vinci Code and History” by Robison. Madere’s presentation will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 23 in the Student Union Theatre at 12:30 p.m. Robison’s presentation will take place later in the same day at 7:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Public Library – South Regional Branch in Lafayette. For more information on the events, visit the southeastern website. For more information on Women’s History Day, visit womenshistorymonth.gov.