“When haven’t women worked?  The problem has been women being paid, promoted and being praiseworthy” (Zelbovitz, 2015). Women have made many notable contributions to the world. It is our time to celebrate the strides women have made in our society.  The above display shows journals that bring to light the many professional achievements of successful women.  Sadly, there are many places in the world that have yet to recognize that women’s rights are human rights. According to Hemming and Savage (2009) in Women Making America, the National Women’s History Month came about uniquely:

In 1980, a group of women in California discovered that only 3 percent of material in school textbooks was devoted to women. Determined to change this, they formed the National Women’s History Project. By 1987, they had succeeded in convincing Congress to set aside March as Women’s History Month. (P. xvii)

What can you do? Make an effort to note the accomplishments of the women in your sphere of influence. Abandon gender biased verbiage and phrases that promote gender stereotyping. When you are considering a new hire or promotion, ask yourself if you included qualified women. Are you still unsure how to help? Most of us can probably pick the phone and call our mother just to say, “What an incredible woman you are. I am so grateful for all that you did for me.” This will probably start an avalanche of gratitude for your wife, your daughter(s), women teachers in your earlier education and perhaps a librarian or two.  After you make those calls, your next meeting will take on a new awareness of the amazing accomplishments of women right in front of you. The Lakeland KU Library celebrates National Women’s History month and recognizes the many contributions women have made historically.

Submitted by: Dr. Karyn Waters Zelbovitz, Ph.D, MLIS