National Women's History Month has its roots in a March 8, 1857, protest against low wages and harsh working conditions launched by female garment and textile factory workers in New York City. Although there had been increased concern about the lack of representation of women in history throughout the 20th century, it was not until 1981 that Congress established National Women's History week, the second week in March, coinciding with International Women's Day (March 8). In 1987 National Women's History Week was expanded to a month-long observance. Since then, every year Congress passes a resolution for Women's History Month along with a proclamation from the President.

This Web site pulls together a variety of resources to help classroom teachers celebrate National Women's History Month. The people and events highlighted here provide just a glimpse into the many significant contributions women have made in the fight for both legal and social equality.

Classroom Activities
Women: Struggle and Triumph
Created by the Library of Congress, this lesson has middle school students review a variety of journals, letters, narratives and other primary sources and then write their impressions of women in the 19th century. http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/00/triumph/index.html

A Woman's Worth
This lesson plan for middle school and high schools students focuses on women's roles today. Students are asked to identify a variety of roles, break into small groups, choose a specific role and then make a "pitch" to the rest of the class about why their story should be made into a documentary film.
www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/
20050216wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons

Glass Slippers Just Won't Do
This extensive WebQuest invites high school students to analyze various roles of women from 1800 to the present.
www.sitesbysheridan.com/webquest/index.html