Why Women’s History Month Must Go

Almost 250 years after Abigail Adams’ plea to “Remember the ladies,” we’re still an afterthought

As a woman who wrote a book rooted in women’s empowerment and intersectional feminism, I have had many people wish me a happy Women’s History Month. I’ve also been asked to write articles and will be giving talks in honor of the month. While I’ve been honored to participate, the truth is I feel like a bit of a hypocrite. Why? Because while I think Women’s History Month is necessary, I am appalled by the concept.

Women are half the population. Why are we celebrating being given 1/12 of the year? And why do we not find it unconscionable that during that 1/12 of the year we largely give only cursory lip service to all but a very inaccurately defined idea of womanhood and success?

Women’s History Month simply should not have to exist. Nor should Black History Month or any other months celebrating alternatives to White men’s history.

These circumscribed months are necessary because of the pervasive, pernicious sexism, racism and other isms in our country. They are also a flimsy little Band-Aid on the gaping wound which slices through our sanitized version of American history.