Photo Credit: It’s Nice That

What do ROSIE THE RIVETER … FEARLESS GIRL … and an UPSIDE-DOWN McDONALD’S SIGN have to do with the month of March? Everything!

Yes, I know ─ You think of March as welcoming Spring, changing the clocks, and pretending everyone’s Irish… But now you can also celebrate Women’s History Month as a way of honoring women who made a difference and inspired others.

This national event began as International Women’s Day in 1975, turned into Women’s History Week in 1981, and then evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987 thanks to a proclamation by Congress. Each year, the current President passes an annual proclamation to announce Women’s History Month, and the National Women’s History Project declares a theme. The theme for 2018 is “Nevertheless, She Persisted.”

Although the theme is a reference to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) when she was silenced and rebuked by Republicans during a nomination debate in February 2017, “Nevertheless, She Persisted” is a universal concept. It represents every woman who used her tenacity to accomplish whatever she set out to achieve. Your mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and other female ancestors had to persist in eras when fewer rights were guaranteed for women.

History months traditionally tend to focus on trailblazers and their leadership roles. Who were they? What did they do? Here’s a quick ‘first women’s list’ (How many do you know?):

Sally Ride – First female U.S. astronaut
Valentina Tereshkova – First female in space
Junko Tabei – First female to climb Mt. Everest
Victoria Woodhull – First female candidate for U.S. President (1872)
Geraldine Ferraro – First female candidate for U.S. Vice President (1984)
Jacqueline Cochran – First female to break the sound barrier
Manon Rheaume – First female to play in the NHL (goaltender)
Katie Higgins – First female Blue Angels pilot
Michelle Howard – First female Four-Star Admiral in U.S. Navy
Katharine Graham – First female Fortune 500 Company CEO (Washington Post)

Although honoring trailblazers represents an important aspect of Women’s History Month, it is vital to the movement to celebrate those who carry the wisdom forward by changing women’s leadership roles, shattering glass ceilings, reinstating feminine voices, fighting for equal pay for equal work, and creating the #MeToo Movement. Many unsung heroes tirelessly commit to tearing down sexism and discrimination faced by women throughout the world. Much has been accomplished in women’s initiatives, but more still can be done.

Visual media provides an unconventional conduit to promote women’s rights, which brings me back to my initial question: what do Rosie the Riveter, Fearless Girl, and an upside-down McDonald’s sign have to do with the month of March?

ROSIE ─ During World War II, when the men went off to war, women took over the factory jobs. Posters everywhere displayed ROSIE THE RIVETER, a war worker of 40s pop culture aimed at recruiting female workers for defense industries. Modeled after Naomi Parker Fraley, Rosie grew into a feminist icon in the late 20th Century.

FEARLESS ─ Under the cover of darkness on March 7, 2017, State Street Global Advisers placed its defiant bronze little girl statue (FEARLESS GIRL) in front of the ‘Charging Bull’ statue in New York’s financial district. One year later, the statue has inspired more than 150 companies to add women to their previously all-male boards.

McDONALD’S ─ This year, McDonald’s chose one of its locations to honor International Women’s Day, and the winner is (drum roll please) Lynwood, CA. So you aren’t doing a double take when you see this restaurant’s iconic ‘golden arches’ upside down. McDonald’s wanted to demonstrate the importance of uplifting woman. In addition to Lynwood, 100 other locations will display a flipped logo on packaging, placemats, and employee shirts and hats.

Is 2018 the year of women? Maybe. For now, it is important to remember the trailblazers of Women’s History Month, but it’s more valuable to carry the wisdom forward. I leave you with these quotes from empowering females:

“Knowing what must be done does away with fear.” ─ Rosa Parks

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” ─ Eleanor Roosevelt

“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” ─ Margaret Thatcher

“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” ─ Oprah Winfrey