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Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The five worst states for women are in the South, study says. See where Tennessee ranks
Women's History Month is a time to reflect on women's immense contributions to history and today's society. It's also a time to recognize that women's equality is still an ideal that has yet to be reached. In the spirit of Women's History Month, WalletHub identified the best and worst states for women to live in, specifically studying two categories: "Women's economic & social well-being' and 'women's health care & safety' WalletHub studied all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. The study used 25 metrics to measure how well women can thrive across the U.S. In the economic and well-being category, WalletHub looked at female employees' median earnings, female rates of poverty, the share of women-owned businesses, high school graduation rates and more. In the women's healthcare and safety category, experts looked at abortion access, the quality of women's hospitals, obesity and suicide rates, as well as the female homicide rate. Across all the metrics, each state was ranked out of 100 total points. Source: WalletHub The Volunteer State is in the bottom half of the best states for women to live in the U.S., according to WalletHub. Out of the 100 offered points, Tennessee has a score of 51.42 and ranked at No. 36 overall. In the economic and social well-being category, Tennessee is listed at No. 26, landing between Nebraska and New Mexico. Tennessee ranked at No. 45 in terms of health care and safety. Tennessee has one of the most restrictive abortion policies; it is nearly completely outlawed with very few exceptions. The state adopted its abortion policy in August 2022, following Roe. V. Wade being overturned in June 2022. Though in the bottom half of U.S. states, Tennessee ranked well in the best states for women survey compared to many other Southern states. Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina were the only states to rank above Tennessee at No. 22, No. 33 and No. 32 respectively. Alabama at No. 46, Georgia at No. 43 and South Carolina came in at No. 39. Additionally, the five worst states for women are all located in the South. No. 1: Massachusetts No. 2: Minnesota No. 3: District of Colombia No. 4: New York No. 5: Maryland No. 47: Texas No. 48: Lousiana No. 49: Arkansas No. 50: Oklahoma No. 51: Mississippi Women's History Month started as a California "Women's History Week' in 1978 to be celebrated during the week of March 8 to correspond with Intranational Women's Day, according to the National Women's History Museum. Two years later in 1980, women's groups, historians and the National Women's History Project (now called the National Women's History Alliance) successfully lobbied for national recognition of Women's History Week. President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring National Women's History Week to be the week of March 8, 1980, according to the National Women's History Museum. It wasn't until 1987 that Congress designated March as Women's History Month. Each year, the President proclaims March as Women's History Month. Each year, the National Women's History Alliance designates a theme for Women's History Month. In 2025, the theme is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." The theme honors women who are educators, mentors and leaders, according to the NWHA. Women's History Month is often marked with purple, white and green, the official colors of International Women's Day. Purple represents justice, dignity and loyalty to the cause, green is the color of hope and white is the color of purity. The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908, according to the Intranational Women's Day campaign site. International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8. Though International Women's Day is marked worldwide, it is not a national holiday in the U.S. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: For Women's History Month, where TN ranks in best states for women list
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
When did Women's History Month begin? Its history, explained
Women's History Month is here. For nearly 40 years, March has been designated as a month to celebrate and honor the achievements of women throughout U.S. history, like Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman and more. From educating Americans on the achievements and accomplishments of women throughout history to inspiring future generations, there's many ways to honor and commemorate the mark women have made throughout history. Here's what to know about how a local celebration in California turned into a national Women's History Week under Jimmy Carter's administration, and under Ronald Reagan's administration, became a month-long observance — plus tips on how to celebrate. Women's History Month first began a local, weeklong celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978, according to the National Women's History Museum. The organizers picked the week to correspond with International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8. The movement grew across the country as other groups and communities began holding their own celebrations in 1979, and in 1980, women's groups and historians began lobbying for national recognition, according to the National Women's History Museum. In February 1980, then President Jimmy Carter issued a statement asking for Americans to recognize women's heritage in the U.S. during National Women's History Week from March 2 to 8. "I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality—Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul," Carter said. He continued: "Understanding the true history of our country will help us to comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all our people." In 1981, Congress passed a resolution designating the week beginning March 7, 1982, as Women's History Week. Then President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation in February 1982, emphasizing women's achievements throughout U.S. history. "Recognizing that the many contributions of American women have at times been overlooked in the annals of American history, I encourage all citizens to observe this important week by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities planned by individuals, governmental agencies, and private institutions and associations throughout the country," Reagan said. Over the next five years, Congress continued to pass resolutions requesting for the president to issue proclamations of Women's History Week, according to the Library of Congress. In 1987, Congress passed a joint resolution designating the month of March as Women's History Month, after the National Women's History Project petitioned, according to the Library of Congress. Reagan then proclaimed March 1987 as Women's History Month, according to his presidential proclamation. "I call upon all Americans to mark this month with appropriate observances to honor the achievements of American women," Reagan said. From 1988 to 1994, Congress passed resolutions requesting for the president to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month, according to the Library of Congress. And since 1995, Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden have issued proclamations designating each March as Women's History Month, according to the Library of Congress. President Trump signed executive orders in January 2025 to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion programs, leading a number of federal agencies to ban or pause all activities and events related to cultural awareness months like Women's History Month, Black History Month and LGBTQ Pride Month, plus other 'special observances,' per memos and emails obtained by NBC News. It is unclear if Trump will designate March 2025 as Women's History Month. However, groups and alliances are still going full speed ahead with celebrating women's history in the U.S. According to the National Women's History Alliance, the 2025 theme for Women's History Month is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." "This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership," the alliance said. "Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations — both past and present." The alliance aims to honor the achievements and contributions of key women educators, mentors and leaders, inspire all generations and promote the visibility of diverse women in 2025. The alliance suggests educators consider biography and research projects for their students, as well as inclusive lessons, historical timelines and artistic expressions. Parents can consider providing reading materials that highlight the achievements of women, as well as holding debates and plays for children to learn and reenact important moments about women's history, according to the alliance. For all ages, the alliance suggests hosting book clubs, field trips, learning family history and more as ways to promote women's history this March. Check out picks for Women's History Month quotes, books, food brands, TV shows, movies and more to feel even more empowered over the next 31 days. This article was originally published on
Chicago Tribune
14-02-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Susan Whiting: Chicago activist Ida B. Wells changes the face of American currency
As a relative of Susan B. Anthony, I have spent much of my life reflecting on the power of stories that reveal struggles and celebrate the triumphs and progress that inspire future generations. As chair of the National Women's History Museum, I turned that reflection into action, in which we believe women's history is not a footnote — it's the headline. Our mission is to amplify women's voices to spark action and inspire young women to lead the charge toward a fair and promising future. Because I'm a proud Chicago native, this mission is especially meaningful. This month, I will join Michelle and Dan Duster, Ida B. Wells' great-grandchildren, to celebrate Wells' rightful place in history on a U.S. quarter. My organization serves as a consultant to the U.S. Mint on the American Women Quarters program, which aims to do more than honor individual women. It challenges long-held beliefs that have hidden women's contributions by transforming the narrative — not by erasing the past but by enriching it to ensure it reflects the diversity of the people who shaped our nation. On Wednesday, we gathered at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center to honor Wells' legacy and celebrate this historical recognition. The event commemorated Wells to inspire a new generation to carry her torch. Chicago, where she demonstrated her courage, was the perfect place for this celebration. Let's think about the young girls who will see Wells' face on a quarter and learn her story. What will they dream of because of her example? Wells dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality and exposing injustice. Her legacy reminds us that we build progress on courage and determination. She was born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862 and became one of our country's most fearless journalists and an unyielding advocate for racial equality who documented the atrocities of lynching. Wells co-founded the NAACP and laid the groundwork for civil rights movements that continue today. To hold a quarter bearing her likeness is holding a piece of history — it is a testament to her courage, a reminder of how far we've come and still must go. Chicago is central to Wells' legacy. Here, she led campaigns against racial discrimination, fought for fair housing and raised her voice to demand justice. Her legacy can still be seen and felt in the city — from the institutions she influenced to the community activism she inspired. The Ida B. Wells Homes, once a cornerstone of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, and the street bearing her name are reminders of her enduring contributions. Honoring her on our currency, we affirm her place in Chicago's history and our national story. Wells' legacy is a reminder of the power of truth. Her work exposing lynching was not just journalism; it was activism. She once said, 'The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.' As we celebrate her inclusion in the American Women Quarters Program, we shine a light on her truth. Her story calls on all of us to confront the inequities that remain and to honor the courage required to challenge them. Why do these stories still matter? Why must we know them, remember them and, yes, see them on our currency? Because representation shapes reality. For too long, our currency has reflected only a narrow slice of American history, sidelining the contributions of women and people of color. The images we choose to honor — those we carry in our wallets, exchange in transactions and pass between generations — speak volumes about who we value as a society. When women such as Wells grace our quarters, we normalize the presence of women in places of prominence and power. We affirm that their legacies deserve to be seen and remembered by everyone. Representation matters, and it shapes what's possible. When we see Wells and other women whose voices and contributions have shaped our nation, we're emboldened to continue their work. As we carry Wells' story with us, we also carry her mission: to turn the light of truth on injustice and create a more equitable world for everyone. Together, we can ensure that women's history is not a footnote. Susan Whiting is the former vice chair of Nielsen and the chair of the National Women's History Museum board. She currently is a board member for and adviser to for-profit and nonprofit organizations in Chicago and nationwide.
