As February has come to a close and March has begun, it is time to commemorate all the important women in history with the beginning of Women’s History Month.

Starting in 1995, every U.S. president has issued an annual proclamation designating March as Women’s History Month. Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance selects a theme for the month, with this year’s theme being “Valiant Women of the Vote.”

According to the National Women’s History Alliance, when Women’s History Month began as only a week-long event in the early 1980’s, “state departments of education encouraged celebrations of National Women’s History Week as an effective means to achieving equity goals within classrooms.”

According to the National Women’s History Museum, the theme is meant to honor “the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others.”

In McLean, there are a few clubs, such as the Girls Leadership Committee and the Feminist Club, that are meant to empower the girls of McLean and spread positivity.

“I think joining [the Girls Leadership Committee] was a really good decision for me,” sophomore Hannah Soberman said. “I have been able to find a community where it’s just girls supporting girls, and that’s really important for a teenager.”

These clubs have many fundraising events throughout the year, such as the Feminine

Product Drive sponsored by the Girls Leadership Committee, which are meant to help support local women’s communities.

“Events like the Feminine Product Drive not only allow us to give back to women in need, but it helps us get the word out about our club to the rest of the school,” Soberman said.

Tomorrow, March 8, is marked as International Women’s Day, and there are a few important things to remember on this day.

“For tomorrow, it’s important that everyone remembers all of the great women in their life,” Soberman said. “Tell the women who you are thankful for in your life how important they are and just empower them.”

Happy #WomensHistoryMonth from your friends at @womenshistory! pic.twitter.com/xQ3HgoTpls

— National Women's History Museum (@womenshistory) March 1, 2020