Six Inspiring Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month in the Workplace

Women’s History Month celebrates the countless social, economic, and cultural contributions women have made.

March is Women’s History Month, an annual celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of women throughout our nation’s past and present. It’s also a time to learn about and confront the ongoing injustices that affect women around the world, as well as an invitation to rejoice in our shared humanity. There are endless options for workplace activities to promote diversity and acknowledge the ways that women have made our world a better place. Read on to learn more about Women’s History Month, along with six engaging celebration ideas to consider for your place of business.

What is Women’s History Month and how did it originate?

The first Women’s Day celebration in the U.S. occurred in 1909 when a group of Manhattan socialists and suffragists organized to honor the first anniversary of the garment strike led by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. The holiday wasn’t widely celebrated in America until the United Nations recognized it in the 1970s. The catalyst for Women’s History Month as we know it began as a local weeklong celebration in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned a celebration that corresponded with International Women’s Day, and the movement took off across the country. In February 1980, women’s groups and historians lobbied for national recognition of the event. President Jimmy Carter then issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress designated the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

‍It’s always a good time to empower and acknowledge women in the workplace.

Let’s face it—businesses wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of female teammates and leaders. By showing appreciation for the amazing women in your workplace, your company stands to benefit. For instance, a recent Deloitte survey revealed that companies consistently demonstrating an appreciation for women are more attractive to millennials and Gen Z job seekers, which account for most of the new talent pool today. And, efforts to embrace diversity and build a more inclusive environment can make your organization 21% more likely to enjoy above-average profitability, according to research by McKinsey & Company.

Here are six Women’s Month recognition ideas to consider for your place of business:

• Play some themed trivia.
  Celebrate and have fun with a team-building game that’s all about women’s history. Feature questions about female historical figures, authors, and activists, along with pop history about TV, music, and movies. It’s a great opportunity for in-person, hybrid, and remote teams to work together and learn at the same time.

• Introduce new policies that support work-life balance.
  For mothers, and especially working mothers, balancing employment and family duties is critical. That’s one reason employment policies promoting work-life balance are so essential to women. The U.S. falls far behind other nations in this area. For instance, the World Health Organization’s recommendation for minimum parental leave is 18 weeks. Yet, in America, there is no federal policy on paid family leave and 40% of women don’t even qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act, which grants 12 weeks of unpaid job leave at the federal level. This month, take time to reevaluate your company’s policies and identify ways to better support work-life balance. For example, you might consider new guidelines for flexible scheduling or expanded remote work opportunities. Do some research to identify which companies are doing it best and what steps your organization can take to follow in their footsteps.

• ‍Go purple.
  Purple is the signature color of Women’s History Month so why not celebrate with a splash of plum throughout your office? It’s an easy way to showcase a unified, supportive, and inclusive work environment. Liven up the décor with some purplish accents, decorate the break room in violet, or encourage everyone to don some purple attire during the month.

• Find new mentorship opportunities.
  According to Forbes, retention and promotion rates for women participating in mentoring programs increased from 15% to 38%. Often faced with pay inequality, advancement barriers, and work-life imbalances, women are in need of meaningful mentorship opportunities. How can you expand the mentorship opportunities in your company? How can you connect female employees with mentors outside of your organization and/or within your industry?

• Encourage reading about the female experience.
  The diverse and expansive stories of women span all industries, continents, and experiences. There’s no shortage books that highlight women’s rights and the fight for gender equality. The New York Public Library  and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses are among the many organizations that have posted recommended reading lists for Women’s History Month 2023.

• Listen up.
  Learn from the voice of experience by inviting some influential women as guest speakers. Or, assemble a panel of women to discuss their experiences. Forums like these empower women by sharing knowledge, providing a platform for their voices, and fostering diversity.

• Encourage the support of women-owned businesses.
  All year long, it’s important to support the women-owned businesses and organizations in your community. According to the World Economic Forum, women started 49% of all new businesses in the U.S. in 2021, up 28% from just two years prior. But worldwide, men still outnumber women three to one when it comes to business ownership. Make it a point to shop mindfully for the goods you need or visit a woman-owned restaurant for lunch. Encourage those in your workplace to do the same.

A woman-owned organization, The HR Team is proud to recognize the talented and amazing women on our team, in the workforce, and around the world.

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