For centuries history books have shown more focus on men’s accomplishments, leaving many of women’s struggles and achievements in the dark. It was not until recently that the women throughout history have started to become prominent everywhere from the media to classrooms. According to The Law Library of Congress, Women’s History Month went from being “Women’s History Week” to “Women’s History Month” in 1987 thanks to the National Women’s History Project, a nonprofit organization that brings attention to women’s history. 

Today, women’s history month is celebrated in numerous forms, from marches to unique events that bring awareness to all the different types of women who have made or are currently making history. Glendale Community College’s history department, along with the History Student Association (HSA), partnered with different departments at GCC and made it an obligation to organize various events throughout March for Women’s History Month. 

On March 10, GCC kicked off Women’s History Month with a career panel titled “Women Making History”, hosted by Maite Peterson, GCC history professor, Nadine Levyfield,  Student Services Technician, Career Services, and sponsored by the History Students Association. It included three female historians who have made careers out of their history degrees. 

A couple of days later, JC Moore, Department of Sociology, facilitated a lecture given by Professor Peterson “Historical Patterns of Feminist Movements in America: What’s In and What’s Out and Why” that was an addition to the Spring 2020 lecture series “Cultural and Diversity: The Road to Social Change”. 

“Women’s history is really important because mankind hasn’t been fair to women and although we are making progress for women, it still isn’t enough,” communications major, Marco Paz Jr. said.  

Another student, Amanda Synder, education major, admitted she had never been to an event like this and suggested that more students attend because “they can open your eyes to new thoughts and give you the ability to learn from those who have gone before us.”

Unfortunately, the rest of the scheduled events for Women’s History Month were canceled due to COVID-19 realities. Levyfield and Peterson brought up the possibility of hosting events remotely. Peterson also said that along with her and the other coordinators of all the Women’s History Month events “there will always be Women’s History Month activities on campus.”

Outside of GCC, Women’s History Month was hashtagged all over Twitter and Instagram with women’s history facts about women who have made a difference. ESPN also continued to celebrate Women’s History Month and ended it with an 8-hour marathon of the United States Women’s National Soccer team’s classic matches on March 30, adapting to today’s realities and the fact that sporting events have been canceled until further notice. 

Brenda Valenzuela can be reached at [email protected]