Embassy of the United States

Women’s History Month 2009

Logo for the Women's History Month 2009 theme, Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet   • U.S. Celebrates Women’s Contributions to the World Every March  Women’s role in the environmental or “green” movement is 2009 focus March is Women's History Month in the United States. The life of marine biologist, author and environmentalist Rachel Carson is the inspiration for this year's theme, Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet...more

• Presidential Proclamation on Women’s History Month President Obama pays tribute to women who helped preserve, protect the environment

• Milestones in U.S. Women’s History Some of the outstanding people and events that moved women’s rights forward.

Abolitionist and former slave Sojourner Truth gives her famous speech "Ain't I a Woman?" to the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. She was an eloquent champion of the rights of African Americans and women. Related article: Sojourner Truth      Gertrude Ederle is the first woman to swim the English Channel. Only five men have swum the Channel before her, and she cuts two hours off their fastest time.     Sandra Day O'Connor is the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is appointed by President Ronald Reagan and serves until her retirement in 2006. See related article: Sandra Day O’Connor     Captain Nicole Malachowski debuts as the first female pilot in the U.S. Air Force’s air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds. See related article: First Female Demonstration Pilot Joins U.S. Fighter Jet Team     Michelle Obama becomes the first African-American first lady of the United States. She is a lawyer, the mother of two daughters, and the youngest first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy. Related article: Michelle Obama Enters White House with Substance and Style

• Women Chosen for Several Top Administration Posts Women hold several top posts in the Obama administration, including the secretaries of state, of labor and of homeland security, and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton   Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis   Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano   United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice

• Photo Gallery

Women of Influence   Women Working to Protect the Environment   U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama   Women of the Twentieth Century

• Video

Remembering Rachel Carson

• Publication

Women of Influence English This collection chronicles how 21 notable American women broke new ground, some by championing equal rights for all and others by their accomplishments in fields such as government, literature, and even in war.

Rachel Carson: Pen Against Poison English Rachel Carson was a quiet woman who stirred extraordinary controversy that persists decades after her death. Her 1962 book Silent Spring brought worldwide attention to the harm to human health and the environment wrought by mishandling of a powerful pesticide, fomenting the environmental movement. In the 100th anniversary year of Carson's birth, this publication examines how occasionally in history a book with a powerful idea can bring about peaceful but dramatic change in a democratic society.

Women in Politics English | Korean This publication offers the stories of women who believed that they could make a difference by participating in politics and government, and forged ahead to do so. They have acquired experience in running for election, being an effective policymaker, and in persuading elected officials to support their cause.

• Online Resources

National Women’s History Project (NWHP) Every year in March, the NWHP, which was founded in 1980, coordinates observances of National Women’s History Month throughout the United States.     United Nations: International Women’s Day Since 1975, the United Nations has celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8.  The theme for 2009 is “Women and men united to end violence against women and girls.”     Bureau of the Census Facts for Features: Women’s History Month Want facts? There are 4.2 million more females in the United States than males. This site will tell you how many American women are military veterans, and much more.     Library of Congress: Women’s History Month This site includes links to Library of Congress resources for the study of women’s history and culture, veterans’ stories, photographs and other media, and materials for teachers.     Library of Congress – American Memory Collection: Woman Suffrage The National American Woman Suffrage Association collection consists of 167 books, pamphlets and other artifacts documenting the suffrage campaign.     National Museum of Women in the Arts This is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the contributions of women artists.     Places Where Women Made History The National Park Service provides an itinerary of 75 sites in New York and Massachusetts with significance in women's history.