March is Women’s history month, a time to celebrate the vital role of women in American history.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier celebrates Women’s History Month with a special lighting of the Pacific Wheel on March 8, International Women’s Day. This special light program on the Ferris wheel features purple, green and white, the colors of International Women’s Day that signify justice, dignity, and hope. The colors originate from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.

International Women’s Day has been commemorated across the world on March 8th since 1911 and every U.S. President has marked March as Women’s History Month since 1995. The right to vote has historically been celebrated when examining women’s history in the United States. The movement to expand the vote to women built momentum during the 19th century, achieved part of its goal with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, and continues to be an important initiative to ensure protection of voting rights for all.

This special lighting event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 8. The Ferris wheel lights can be seen from dusk until 11:35 PM each evening. Enjoy watching the light program online at www.dev.pacpark.enki.tech/live.
 

WHAT:
Special Lighting of the Pacific Wheel for Women’s History Month 2022

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 8
dusk (around 6 – 7 PM) to midnight

WHERE:
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Eleanor Roosevelt was a key figure in several of the most important social reform movements of the twentieth century: the Progressive movement, the New Deal, the Women’s Movement, the struggle for racial justice, and the United Nations. A long time political partner of her husband, President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt also developed her own political network and her own liberal ideology. During the New Deal, Eleanor Roosevelt became a key voice inside the White House for appointing women to positions in the administration, improving the plight of the unemployed, and addressing the concerns of youth; she championed the organization of the National Youth Administration and the Public Works Arts Project. Her monthly columns for Woman’s Home Companion led to an unprecedented conversation with the American people. During World War II, she took an active role in programs for European refugees and building support for women working on the home front. She continued her political activities after the death of FDR in 1945 in such areas as the new United Nations and the civil rights movement.

Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women’s Day impactful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” So make International Women’s Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women. Share your story on social media with the hashtag #BreakTheBias to join the conversation.

About Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

About International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, and fundraise for female-focused charities. Learn more about International Women’s Day at www.internationalwomensday.com

Feature image courtesy of @photoartegui