It’s  in our minds that Feb. 1  marks  the start of Black History  Month, yet many people fail to realize that March ushers in a month to recognize women all over the world.

I think of March as the beginning of spring and the closing of the cold, windy days. Never do I distinguish March as “Women’s History Month.” I did not even know there was such until a week ago. Therefore, I strongly feel that Women’s History Month is unappreciated.

Now that it has been brought to my attention, it is very moving to reflect on the past generations of powerful women who have impacted our country’s history.

Up until the 1800s, women were confined to their homes and were expected to marry who they were told. Females were seen as slaves forced to upkeep the home, cater to their children and answer without attitude to their husbands and every other man. Women had no self- defense or voice. That is until Susan B. Anthony began her campaign for women’s freedom in 1852. Anthony’s campaign included the freedom for women to earn an education, to divorce, to own property, to obtain a job outside of the house and most importantly, to vote. In 1920, Anthony’s campaign was accepted into society as the League of Women Voters was formed and the 19th amendment passed granting women their voice in elections. Two years later, Cable Act guaranteed a woman independence from her husband.

In 1941, during World War II, over seven million women were given the opportunity to go to work while men fought in the war. Once again, women were seen as being “too weak to fight for our country.” However, this changed within a year when women military branches were established.

Next in the line of history is a famous name we all know and love, Rosa Parks. She is one of the first women to say, “no.” To say, “No, I will not move to the back of the bus.” In 1955, Parks prompted women, both white and African, to join together and fight against segregation.

John F. Kennedy established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women in 1961. The newly-formed council was chaired by the one and only, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Even then, after women fought to earn respect, many still questioned the true role of a woman. Betty Friedan retaliated by writing “The Feminine Mystique” in 1963. And for all the Cosmopolitan lovers, thank Helen Gurley Brown for transforming it into a women’s magazine in 1965.

The most powerful mark in women’s history has to be in 1969 when the first secondary course opened to women and was offered at Cornell University.

If it wasn’t for this, I would not be attending college, much less writing this article.

Through the 1980s, hatred toward feminism led to the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, when women continuously worked their way up the totem pole of liberty as the years passed, and thankfully women continue to be recognized today.