Honoring Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to “commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.”1 It all started back in 1978, when educators based in Santa Rosa, California began celebrating Women’s History Week. President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th (which is also International Women’s Day) be recognized as National Women’s History Week. By 1987, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution that deemed March as Women’s History Month.
As a company where nearly half of our make-up is comprised of women, Avanti celebrates the achievements of our women Avantians and champions the talent and ideas they bring to the table every day. Take a look below!
This month, we encourage you to support organizations that empower women. We have listed some options below if you are looking for a place to start!
- Rose Brooks Center: With a mission to “break the cycle of domestic violence so that individuals and families can live free of abuse,” Rose Brooks Center provides shelters, crisis lines, programs and support groups that empower women and families to live healthy, safe, and abuse-free lives. Donate to Rose Brooks Center here.
- Maggie’s Place: Founded in 2000, Maggie’s Place assists pregnant and parenting women and their children by providing a safe, loving community and offerings programs and on-going services that enable them to be self-sufficient. Donate to Maggie’s Place here.
- The Gathering Place: TGP is a “community of safe and hope where positive relationships, choice, and essential resources transform lives.” They provide a variety of programs and services for adults and families, from supporting stability to meeting basic needs. Donate to The Gathering Place here.
- I Support the Girls: I Support the Girls empowers people to make dignity the norm, one bra and period product at a time. They partner with over 4,000 social service agencies and over 1,000 business and corporate partners. Donate to I Support the Girls here.
We also encourage you to learn more about key women figures. Below are just some of many changemakers and trailblazers worth recognizing.
- Claudia Jones: A notable Trinidadian social activist, political activist, and journalist, Claudia Jones fought for equality for Black and poor communities. She publicized working class struggles, penned articles on controversial topics, and advocated for women.2
- Jane Cooke Wright: Born to one of the first Black graduates of Harvard Medical School, Jane Cooke Wright was an accomplished medical professional herself. She was the first women elected as the president of the New York Cancer society, and in 1967 was the highest ranked Black woman at a nationally recognized medical institution.3
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A trailblazer in American Legislature, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first female Jewish Supreme Court Justice, and just the second woman to ever serve as a Supreme Court Justice. During her tenure, she was a fierce advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.4
- Sonia Sotomayor: Currently serving as a Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor was the first Hispanic woman to earn the title, and only the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Sonia is also an accomplished author.4
- Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart: A renowned Native American social work and mental health expert, Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart is known for her development of a model of historical trauma for the Lakota people. This important work evolved to expand across indigenous populations around the world. 5
Are you looking to join a team that champions women leaders and provides tools to grow? Consider joining Team Avanti! Visit our Careers page here to learn what we’re all about.