RTD commemorates Women’s History Month
March signifies Women’s History Month and the first week long celebration occurred in the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Students participated in presentations, essay contests and even a parade in downtown Santa Rosa to celebrate. Recognition of women’s historical contributions evolved into the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) organization in 2018. The theme NWHA chose for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” This theme recognizes women’s work in reevaluating the status quo and implementing equity for all.
Women who challenged the status quo include Sojourner Truth, who escaped from slavery to become an abolitionist and fought for gender equality; Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Farm Workers of America and fought for workers’ rights; Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who co-founded STAR, an organization that advocates for young transgender people; and Gloria Steinem, who takes an intersectional approach – recognizing that the causes of disadvantage or discrimination do not exist independently – to her feminist work.
National women's history is also close to home in Denver. Sarah Breed love started her business in Denver in 1905, eventually becoming a millionaire known as Madam C.J. Walker. Polly Baca, in 1974, became the first Hispanic woman elected to not just the Colorado State Legislature, but any state legislature. Madeline Albright, although not born in Denver,came of age in Denver and interned for The Denver Post, later becoming the first female U.S. Secretary of State. Her father, Joseph Korbel, a professor at the University of Denver, taught a young Condoleezza Rice, who would become the first Black female U.S. Secretary of State.
RTD invites everyone to commemorate Women’s History Month. Some suggestions include:
- Take a virtual Denver Women’s History Month Public Art Tour.
- Borrow a book and/or media from a local library that expands on the meaning of women’s history. Denver Public Library shares selected books for youth and adults.
- Visit the Women’s History Month Gallery Show at the Ryan Joseph Gallery. Access via RTD bus route 38
- Visit the Center for Colorado Women's History, which focuses on scholarship, research, lectures, tours and exhibits that expand the understanding and collective memory of the history of women in Colorado. Access via RTD bus routes 52, 9, 0, 0L, 116X, 3L, 83D
- Browse the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame and learn more about past and present Colorado women making a difference in our state.
- Support women-owned businesses.
- Donate to and/or volunteer at one of the many local nonprofits supporting women in crisis.