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• 01 Mar, 2022
• 5 comments

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

– President Jimmy Carter’s Message designating March 2-8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week

March marks the University of South Florida’s celebration of Women’s History Month and an opportunity to highlight the contributions of women throughout history and contemporary society. To commemorate USF’s legacy of accomplished women leaders and contributors, the  Office of Multicultural Affairs joins campus partners to host educational and celebratory events throughout the month.

The nation’s monthlong celebration of women’s history began as an outgrowth of a weeklong recognition of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized in 1978 by the school district of Sonoma, California. National interest grew and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring March 8th the start of National Women’s History Week – coinciding with International Women’s Day, which began to be recognized in 1911 and continues to be celebrated annually on March 8th. In 1987, President Carter expanded the proclamation to the entire month of March, and every president since has honored the annual recognition.

Throughout its history, USF has benefitted tremendously from amazingly accomplished women. The following article highlights just a few of their remarkable contributions: