National Women’s History Month

March marks National Women’s History Month—a dedication to the contributions and sacrifices made by women around the world to advance their equality, empowerment, and liberation. Ranging from politics to business, arts and culture, science, and social movements, women remain at the forefront of transformative change across ideas and industry. This month, we acknowledge our debt to the women leaders, educators, workers, community partners, and community members that drive our mission forward, championing our commitments to health equity and social justice.

The National Women’s History Alliance, first responsible for lobbying Congress to declare a national month of recognition for women in 1980, has declared the following theme for this year’s celebration: “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” At Whittier, we see the advancement of health equity and social justice causes as both a current priority and obligation to create a better world for future generations. While recent decades have spurred progress in women’s economic and educational attainment, girls and young women growing up today still face considerable uncertainty. A 2023 report from the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), “Losing More Ground: Revisiting Young Women’s Well-Being Across Generations,” finds that the ongoing harms of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the legal rollback of women’s reproductive freedoms, and rising rates of economic inflation, suicidality, and maternal mortality loom large over women and girls’ sense of stability, safety, and upward mobility. As Diana Elliott, the Vice President for PRB U.S. Programs, explains: “Structural barriers to health and safety are preventing many (women) from reaching their full potential…. Increased rates of suicide and homicide, and a lack of access to health care services like safe abortion, have the combined effect of reversing the health and safety gains women of previous generations experienced, especially women of color.”

In the face of these challenges, it’s important to remember that the ancestors of past generations have long faced adversity with creativity and resilience, leaning on collective courage to forge paths toward progress and self-determination. Their perseverance serves to remind us that even during times of hardship, women will always work together to build a better future. This National Women’s History Month, Whittier Street Health Center is committed to carry forward this legacy as a foundation for our own efforts to break down barriers and ensure that women and girls, today and tomorrow, can thrive.

#WomensHistoryMonth #WomenLeaders #GenderEquity #WhittierStreetHealthCenter

Graphic Design by: @Devin Williams