Women's History Month is recognized each March in the United States. Its purpose is to celebrate the achievements of women throughout the history of our country. President Jimmy Carter's message to the nation in 1980 stated:

"From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well."

The theme for Women's History Month 2021 is "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.”  The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others."

​Women's History Month for Teachers (Library of Congress) Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids. 

These posts from Teaching with the Library of Congress feature primary sources on various topics and easy to implement teaching ideas.

Creating Icons: How We Remember Woman Suffage  National Museum of American History, digital museum exhibit. 

Primary Sources and Women's History Month

Women in History Channel from Discovery Education - Teaching resources on elementary, middle, and high school levels.  Includes lesson starters and video segments.  *Access Discovery Education through Launchpad only

Spotlight on Strategies: Half the Story  - PDF - This strategy helps students more closely examine what they think they know about a topic.  Use with this image, then follow up with viewing this episode of Facts Vs. Fiction. 

Women's History Month for the Classroom The National Education Association has gathered lessons, activities, and background reading for teaching this year's theme "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence". Resources are available for:

• Grades K-5
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 9-12

National Women's History Museum provides online exhibits on the role women have played in standing up for equal rights, space exploration, fashion, politics, sports, STEM fields, and more. Exhibits include visual images and explanations through Google Arts & Culture exhibits. Teachers and students can access biographies, free 30 minute electronic field trips and downloadable posters .

Women's History Exhibitions and Presentations (Library of Congress) Multimedia resources including expert presentations, exhibitions, bibliographies, Webcasts, and other online materials.

Women's History Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.