This March is Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month was first introduced as Women’s History Week, and in 1995, it officially became Women’s History Month. This month, we honor the women who have paved the way for other women. No matter how old or young they are and no matter their race.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is a lawyer, writer, and advocate for healthy lifestyles for children and their families. She is known as the First Lady and has used her position to help those in need.  She started Let’s Move! A program that encourages children to have healthier lifestyles. Michelle Obama also helped the Reach Higher Initiative that helped students with future job opportunities and the skills and education required for those jobs. Shayne Harms credits Michelle Obama as one of her inspirations.

“I love that as a first lady, she wasn’t just there, she was doing things. She had her own initiatives to take care of. She was a mom, and yet she still was a powerful woman, which is really cool,” Harms said. 

Education is something that we take for granted, and we can’t imagine our lives without school. It’s something that Malala Yousafzai had to fight for. Malala Yousafzai became an advocate for girls’ education in Pakistan. She started advocating for education in 2009 as a young child. All this attention put a target on her back, and on October 9, 2015, she was shot by the Taliban. Fortunately, Malala survived and didn’t stop fighting for girls’ education. In October 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala Yousafzai is credited as a hero to many and is categorized with other successful women. Emma Nastrini credits her as one of her heroes.

“These women did great things in a time where strong and successful women were unheard of. They paved the way for me and all women out there, and that has to be admired,” Nastrini said.

A pioneer of the women’s suffrage movement is Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She organized the 1848 First Woman’s Rights Convention with other suffragettes. She traveled across the country giving speeches inspiring other women. She fought for women’s right to vote and she wouldn’t stop until they did. Stanton used her education and privilege to empower other women to fight for their rights. 

In March, we take a step back and honor the women who have risked their lives to help empower other women. Women’s History Month makes sure that these women don’t get forgotten. Women’s History Month can be interpreted and celebrated in many ways. One thing for sure is that it helps inspire other women and girls. This month means so much to the young women in this world. “Women’s History Month means equality and love to me,” Nastrini said.