Women’s History Month (March) is a joint collaboration of the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Its intent is to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. It began in 1981 as a national celebration when Congress passed legislation that authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.”
In 2004, the Vermont Commission on Women began the Vermont Women’s History Project, whose mission was “to promote the understanding of the diverse experiences of women in Vermont history, and by doing so create a new perspective on history and culture that would have a positive effect on society’s perceptions of women.” In 2010, the Vermont Historical Society took ownership of all project materials and continued to host the research database on its website. Following are some images from their website.
Governor Madeleine Kunin signing the proclamation to create Women’s History Month (1988).
Five women and one man at loading dock of Cole Paper Mill, Putney (1908).
Members of the Tourist Club, a group of women that supported learning and self improvement, Barre (no date).
Lieutenant Governor Madeleine Kunin campaigning alongside Marcel Leahy (wife of Senator Patrick Leahy) and Joan Mondale (wife of presidential candidate Vice President Walter Mondale) leading up to the 1980 elections.
League of Women Voters of Vermont Guide to Voting, side a (1971)
League of Women Voters of Vermont Guide to Voting, side b (1971)
All images courtesy of the Vermont Historical Society.
Learn more about Vermont history at https://vermonthistory.org/.
Authored by: David Gunn