March is Women's History Month
Published on March 01, 2025
March is a time to highlight, celebrate and honor women and the vital roles they have held in American history and across the world.
The City of Lakewood joins the federal government, state government and hundreds of public and private organizations in paying tribute to this important annual commemoration and celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society, including women’s struggles for the right to vote and equality under the law.
On behalf of the Lakewood City Council, Mayor Todd Rogers has issued a proclamation in recognition of Women's History Month, available on this page.
Origins of Women's History Month
The recognition of women’s achievements started with International Women’s Day, observed for the first time on March 8, 1911.
Then in 1978, Sonoma County, CA held a “Women’s History Week” celebration to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement soon spread across the country, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring National Women’s History Week.
By 1987, Congress had designated March as Women’s History Month.
Resources to learn more
Los Angeles County Library
The two Los Angeles County Libraries in Lakewood will be creating book displays in celebration of women in March in addition to some special programming.
- Buttons and Bracelets
Teens ages 12-18 will learn about the women’s suffrage movement and then create buttons and bracelets to commemorate women’s achievements throughout history on Tuesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required.
- Yayoi Kusama Inspired Watercolor
Adults are invited to come learn about the life and art of renowned Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama on Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. Participants can create their own watercolor art inspired by her use of dots and repeated patterns, a common theme in all of Kusama’s work. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required.
Smarty Pants Storytime
Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2 - 5 with their parent or caregiver on March 7, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Register early as seats are limited.
Visit lacountylibrary.org to see the commemorative month’s specific resources, which will include a booklist, events and programming as well as a plethora of digital resources focused on women.
National recognition
Starting in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint is releasing new quarters featuring American women who changed the nation and the world as part of the American Women Quarters™ Program.
Twenty pioneering American women are featured on their own quarter and includes icons like Maya Angelou, Sally Ride and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as highly respected trailblazers like indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions Edith Kanakaʻole, and Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
The Smithsonian Institution is currently building the American Women’s History Museum in our nation’s capital. The museum will recognize women’s accomplishments, the history they made, and the communities they represent.
In addition, you can explore hundreds of sources that tell the stories of women through a wide variety of perspectives and media in the Library of Congress collections. The guide's comprehensive coverage includes historic and contemporary audio and video files, posters, photographs, magazines, sheet music, maps, manuscripts and rare books, as well as government documents and legislation. The topical essays highlight such themes as the Equal Rights Amendment, Patriotism and Suffrage. Delve into the treasure trove online.
Web resources
Visit the L.A. County Library website to see the commemorative month’s specific resources, which will include a booklist and a special "great Women in History" tribute to four women you may have never heard of, but have made huge impacts on our local community and the world.