Skip to Main Content

Women’s History Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide

This guide provides the legislative history, proclamations, and laws related to establishing and designating Women's History Month (March).

Introduction

Women's History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. American women have fought throughout our history to gain rights not simply for themselves, but also for many other underrepresented and disenfranchised groups in America.

The Law Library of Congress has prepared material with commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months. This guide provides a brief history of the laws and presidential proclamations which established Women's History Month.


Ann Rosener, photographer. Women in industry. 1942. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

For more information on Women's History Month see Library of Congress: Women's History Month.

About the Law Library of Congress

The Law Library of Congress contains the world’s largest collection of law books and legal resources. It is a repository for the compete record of American law and holds foreign law materials covering all major national, state, and equivalent jurisdictions. In 1832, the Law Library was officially established to provide the United States Congress and Supreme Court with access to current and accurate legal research materials. Over time, our mission was expanded to include other branches of the U.S. Government, the public, and the global legal community. This evolving mission is supported by a collection of around three million volumes and brings together the expertise of approximately 100 lawyers, librarians, other professionals, and support staff who provide legal reference, research, and analysis using the Law Library’s collection. We also draw upon the collections and expertise of our colleagues throughout the Library of Congress.