H. Res. 1174 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 21, 2010. 

Whereas the purpose of National Women’s History Month is 

to increase awareness and knowledge of women’s involvement in history; 

Whereas as recently as the 1970s, women’s history was rarely 

included in the kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum and was not part of public awareness; 

Whereas the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County 

(California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a ‘‘Women’s History Week’’ celebration in 1978 centered around International Women’s History Day, which 

is celebrated on March 8; 

Whereas, in 1980, the National Women’s History Project, 

which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, was 

founded in Sonoma County, California, by Molly Murphy 

MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula 

Hammett, and Bette Morgan to broadcast women’s historical achievements; 

Whereas National Women’s History Project founder Mary 

Ruthsdotter, who passed away in January 2010, was a 

leader in the effort to ensure the inclusion of women’s accomplishments in the Nation’s history; 
2 

•HRES 1174 EH 

Whereas, in 1981, responding to the growing popularity of 

women’s history celebrations, Congress passed a resolution making Women’s History Week a national observance; 

Whereas, during this time, using information provided by the 

National Women’s History Project, founded in Sonoma 

County, California, thousands of schools and communities 

joined in the commemoration of National Women’s History Week, with support and encouragement from governors, city councils, school boards, and Congress; 

Whereas, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to 

include the entire month of March; 

Whereas educators, workplace program planners, parents, 

and community organizations in thousands of communities in the United States under the guidance of the National Women’s History Project, have turned National 

Women’s History Month into a major local learning experience and celebration; 

Whereas the popularity of women’s history celebrations has 

sparked a new interest in uncovering women’s forgotten 

heritage; 

Whereas the President’s Commission on the Celebration of 

Women in American History was established to consider 

how best to acknowledge and celebrate the roles and accomplishments of women in United States history; 

Whereas the National Women’s History Museum was founded in 1996 as an institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women, and integrating this rich heritage fully 

into the Nation’s teachings and history books; 
3 

•HRES 1174 EH 

Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes March 

2010 as National Women’s History Month; and 

Whereas the theme of National Women’s History Month for 

2010 is ‘‘Writing Women Back into History’’: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month; and 

(2) recognizes and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women’s history. 

Attest: 

Clerk.