The future is female, thanks to these milestones in women’s history!
March is the perfect time to honor the trailblazing women who have shaped history and who continue to make an impact across the globe. Their contributions aren’t just part of women’s history—they’re significant to all history.
Since 1995, Women’s History Month has been a time to reflect on the milestones, achievements and resilience of inspiring women who have paved the way for progress. As we celebrate, let’s recognize their remarkable influence and share their stories far and wide.
Since 1995, Women’s History Month has been a time to reflect on the milestones, achievements and resilience of inspiring women who have paved the way for progress. As we celebrate, let’s recognize their remarkable influence and share their stories far and wide.
- 1895: South Australia gives women the right to vote and stand for Parliament
- 1920: The United States ratifies the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote
- 1943: The Women’s Army Corps is created
- 1950: The first girl joins Little League Baseball
- 1963: The Equal Pay Act is passed in the United States
- 1971: The Supreme Court rules on Reed v. Reed Up until the early 1970s, if a relative in the United States died, the job of administering the estate was automatically given to the closest male relative.
- 1973: Roe v. Wade gives women the constitutional right to abortion
- 1976: Portugal grants women the right to vote
- 2003: Japan’s government vows to fill more senior government roles with women
- 2012: The United Nations passes a resolution banning female genital mutilation
- 2016: The first woman receives a U.S. presidential nomination On July 26, 2016, Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to secure a presidential nomination from a major political party.
- 2017: Saudi Arabia lifts its ban on female drivers Woman in Middle Eastern countries needing a man to give you a lift for simple errands, like picking up groceries at the market or visiting a friend.
- 2018: Women mark major U.S. Congressional milestones The youngest woman ever elected to Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; the first Muslim women elected to Congress, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib; and the first Native American women in Congress, Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland. (Haaland also made history as the first Native American person to serve as a cabinet secretary.)
- 2021: The first woman is sworn in as vice president On Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president of the United States.
- 2022: The first Black woman is nominated to the Supreme Court In February 2022, President Joe Biden made history by nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to serve as a justice in the Court’s then-232-year history.
- 2023: Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast in history Simone Biles continues to redefine excellence in gymnastics. At the 2023 World Championships, she secured her sixth all-around title, further cementing her legacy as the most decorated gymnast of all time.
- 2024: A woman becomes the first president of Boston University Breaking barriers in higher education, Melissa L. Gilliam, MD, became the 22nd president of Boston University on July 1, 2024. Not only is she the first woman to hold the position, but she is also the first Black woman to lead the institution.