Women have fought for their own civil rights and the chance to be equal among men in the workplace, school and in the social world. With such a rich history they have been awarded the whole month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Each year since it has been established it has adorned a theme through the National Women’s History Project. This year their theme is “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet.”
This year the organization will honor women who have taken the lead in environmental movement. According to womens history month.
Gov, Rachel Carson is the inspiration and principal model of the theme. Carson is the founder of the contemporary environmental movement that honors multiple professions. Those who are recognized are scientists, engineers, business leaders, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious, workplace leaders or those who serve the community with a vision to save the planet.
Women’s History Month is honored by organizations like the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution. Before the ’70s, the history of women had merely been an afterthought by the general public. Originally, it had been a week long in 1978 designed to be during the week of March 8 so that it would coincide with International Women’s Day.
“Why do you need a special time to honor a group of people when you should be aware of it all year long instead of just a month,” Linda Milne, junior psychology major, said.
This year’s honorees are from all over the United States, a couple from the East Coast and a few from other countries like China and Belize. The honorees can still be living or be noted for the legacy that they left behind for their efforts in saving the planet from the negative effects of pollution and other kinds of environmental damage.
For instance, Matilda Elizabeth Frelinghuysen, a philanthropist from New Jersey who lived from 1888 to 1969, is being honored for a donation of her estate of 127 acres for future generations to enjoy.
Currently, international journalistAmy Goodman for Democracy Now has been serving as a watchdog for the general public to be aware of any threats to the planet. She has spent time interviewing world leaders during times of war and peace about their personal views on global warming and what they plan to do to preserve the planet.
College students should be aware of what goes on each year with global warming and ways to prevent it. By highlighting members of society, the National Women’s Project is bringing new life to a topic that seems to be forgotten about.
“The environment is important for our survival, but at the same time there are bigger issues to handle right now like the economy, international affairs and foreign policy,” Kyle Parker, senior political and science major said.
Global warming occurs naturally each year as the Earth goes through its rotation around the sun, where some of the atmosphere is burned away as part of the cycle.
However, humans are now contributing to the deterioration of the planet’s atmosphere through deforestation, excessive use of fossil fuels and other factors.
This pattern by humans is also affecting their personal health.
“I think it’s great that everybody is taking steps to saving the planet because we only have one world,” Danielle Alio, freshman communication major, said.
