Women’s History Month – March 2025

Women’s History Month

“Moving Forward Together,” is the theme for Women’s History month spotlighting “women educating and inspiring generations.” This theme is meant to highlight and support women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership to shape the minds and futures of all generations.

An online exhibition at the Smithsonian entitled “Becoming Visible” – is an interactive platform that features narrated articles on five women impact on American History:

• Elizabeth Keckly (Designed Mary Todd Lincoln’s Favorite Gowns)
• Hazel Fellows (Kept Astronauts Safe in Space)
• Margaret Knight (Invented a Machine that Shapes the Way we Shop)
• Hisako Hibi (Japanese American artist painted a Vision of Freedom). https://www.becomingvisible.si.edu/

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) highlight

First introduced in Congress in 1923, the ERA wasn’t approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification until 1972. Another half-century later, despite having met the requirements for ratification in the Constitution, the ERA still hasn’t been officially added to the Constitution as the 28th amendment. Now, a diverse coalition of women have come together to wage an intersectional fight for gender equality, taking inspiration from their feminist foremothers. 

The ERA would invalidate many state and federal laws that discriminate against women; the principle being that sex should not determine the legal rights of a person under the constitution.

The original proposed amendment set a ratification deadline of 1979, which was extended until 1982. The archivist of the United States, David Ferriero — the person who generally would be tasked with officially adding the amendment to the Constitution —  refused to add it, based on a memo by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. That memo said the amendment is not valid because the deadline had already passed. Separately, five of the 38 states have since rescinded their ratification.

While gender is not explicitly covered under existing Amendments, gender protections were included in the Civil Rights Act of 1964; however, the argument is the very fact that gender does not have that explicit coverage under an amendment makes it harder to convince a court that unconstitutional sex and gender-based discrimination has taken place.

Jennifer McClellan, a Virginia state senator, has argued that sex discrimination protections need to be in the Constitution itself, not just law. The Civil Rights Act could be amended or repealed, therefore protections against gender discrimination are statutory and not constitutional.

“The fact that it hasn’t happened isn’t in any way a reflection of a lack of stamina, or innovation, on their part,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), a Congressional leader in the fight for certification of the ERA, asserted to NWHM. “They’ve given us a great blueprint: to organize, to mobilize, to legislate, to resist, as if lives depend on it — because they do.” (What would the ERA change? – POLITICO), (https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/era-now-inside-intersectional-movement-womens-constitutional-equality)

How Old are American Women’s Rights

These are six examples of how recently women’s rights have been made law in America:

51 years ago – Having a bank account

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 gave every American woman, married or not, the right to open her own bank or credit account. It outlawed discrimination by both sex and race in banking. It is easy to forget today that this right has existed nationally for fewer than fifty years. (https://daily.jstor.org/a-bank-of-her-own/), (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/when-could-women-get-credit-cards)

50 years ago – Serving on a Jury

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 gave women the right to serve on federal juries, however it was not until 1973 that all 50 states passed similar legislation, according to an article from Associated Press. It was not until the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Taylor v. Louisiana when the Court held that states must treat men and women in the same way in respect to jury service in 1975, according to an article from Humanities and Social Sciences Online. 

47 years ago – Job Discrimination Protection due to Pregnancy

32 years ago – Job security post Pregnancy

The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) made it illegal to terminate employment for women on medical leave for pregnancy, as well as any employee who took time off to care for a relative or welcome a new child into their home.

The law meant that women or men who worked for an eligible employer were entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a covered reason under the FMLA. Prior to this law, someone could lose their job if they took time off to have a child. (Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) | U.S. Department of Labor)

15 years ago – Paying equal rates for Health Insurance

A much needed ban on sex discrimination in health care finally passed in 2010, as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Section 1557 of the ACA prohibits health care entities that receive federal money from discriminating on the basis of sex, along with race, age, and disability.

Women were routinely charged more for health insurance coverage than men, and it was not until the passage of the Affordable Care Act that it started to change, according to the American Bar Association. 

Women still often pay more in health insurance than men. For health insurance companies, women are considered high risk because they tend to visit the doctor more frequently, live longer and have babies, according to healthline.com. 

12 years ago – Serving on the front lines

On Jan. 24, 2013, the Pentagon rescinded the rule that restricted women from serving in combat units, according to a Congressional Research Service report. On Dec. 3, 2015, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ordered that the military open all combat jobs to women with no exceptions, according to the report.

Conscription, which was mandatory enlistment for state services, ended in 1973 and with that women’s participation in the military increased, according to a research article titled “Women and War: What Physicians Should Know.”  While women have participated in U.S. wars since the American Revolution, serving as nurses or other staff, it was not until 2013 when women were allowed to serve on the front lines. 

Events – Chicago

Chicago Public Library Events

Women of New York

• 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16 
• Harold Washington Library -Auditorium, Lower Level 

A fervent advocate for new music and the community that surrounds and supports it, Amy Wurtz is a performer, composer, and curator of new music based in Chicago. Her recent album, Cello Dances at Night, with the Wurtz-Berger Duo, a cello-piano collaboration with Alyson Berger, features Amy’s work Songs and Dances and was commissioned by the Ear Taxi Festival. Amy has lived and worked in California, throughout the Midwest, South America and Europe. In addition to composing and curation, she is in demand as a solo pianist, chamber and choral musician, teacher, and collaborative pianist. 

Women in Trades: Empowering the Future

• 11a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday March 22nd
• Sulzer Regional Library 

Join us for Women in Trades: Empowering the Future, a tabling event showcasing career opportunities, training programs, and resources for women in the trades. Connect with industry experts, discover new pathways, and get inspired to take the next step in a rewarding trade career. 

Giving Her Her Flowers Exhibition at Navy Pier

This month-long fine art portrait exhibition, curated by Dana Todd Pope, celebrates the contributions of women in fine art. It highlights fourteen notable figures from the Chicago arts community who have made tremendous strides in creating opportunities for artists to thrive.

Events – DuPage County

Book Recommendations

TV/Film

Women-Owned Restaurants in Chicago

Explore more women-owned restaurants in Chicago.

Women-Owned Shops in Chicago