Women’s History Month is important, Archbishop Carroll students say

Archbishop Carroll students shared their opinions on the importance of Women’s History Month.

“Women’s History Month is important because it shows appreciation for women in a time where we’re still searching for equality in many areas,” said Alex McBride, a junior.

Junior Olivia Graveley agreed that inequality is still present in society.

“Women’s History Month is important because it is significant to recognize all of the great strides women have made over time especially because we were oppressed for so long in the workforce and in terms of voting,” said Graveley.

March has been Women’s History Month every year since 1987, when former President Jimmy Carter officially instituted it nationwide, according to Women’s History Month’s government website. Women’s History Month is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions and sacrifices of women throughout history.

Throughout the past 30 years, most nationwide schools have highlighted contributions and strides made by women throughout history, according to The Washington Post. However some students wish Women’s History Month would be discussed more.

“I have seen Women’s History Month being discussed through social media, but not in school,” said Jenna DiGiovanni, a junior.

Junior Olivia Graveley agreed more discussion should be had.

“I don’t think Women’s History Month is discussed enough especially because there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, in terms of the wage gap between male and female workers,” said Graveley.

In 2022, women make 82 cents for every $1 a man makes, according to SHRM.org. Although the Equal Pay Act was passed by Congress in 1963, a pay gap still exists.

In addition to discussion about the pay gap, Women’s History Month also launches conversations about women who have made their marks on history.

“I think that Michelle Obama is a great example of an inspirational woman because she was one of the only first ladies to leverage her powerful status to make a important impact,” said Jayden Wintrode, a junior.

Michelle Obama was the first ever African-American first lady of the United States, and started her “Let’s Move” campaign to help reduce the rising obesity rate by educating kids about nutrition and funding healthy lunches in schools, according to Bluford Library.

The inspirational woman mentioned by Graveley was scientist Marie Curie.

“I think Marie Curie is very inspirational because she made lots of advances in the field of science and paved the way  for more and more women to begin their own research in various scientific fields,” said Graveley.

Marie Curie is known for discovering polonium and radium that eventually led to the invention of x-rays, according to UMKC Women’s Center. Curie made monumental strides for women in science when she won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903, and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1911, during a time when women were not openly
accepted as scientists in the math and science fields.