Each year, Women’s History Month offers us a vital opportunity to highlight the astounding legacy of trailblazing American women. We commemorate the women who have built, shaped, and improved our nation. Women’s contributions have been mainly overlooked and consequently omitted from mainstream culture. It is important that we honor the many fields they have impacted, such as literature, art, medicine, and science. Rosa Parks, Billie Holiday, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, and Serena Williams are pioneers of women who had positive rippling effects in today’s society. Not only did these courageous women open doors for the rest of us, but they dedicated their lives to fight for equality. Whether it was through protests, breaking social rules, or fighting against stereotypes, these women changed the world one step at a time.

However, these women are not alone. Many lesser-known female history-makers have been forgotten to the pages of history. But we will shine the light. For instance, Claudia Jones was one of the most influential black feminist intellectuals of the 20th century. Jones was a gifted journalist best known for her groundbreaking articles advocating equal pay, government controls on food prices, and funding for wartime childcare programs. Her influences paved the way for other women, such as Angela Davis, Kathlene Cleaver, and Assata Shakur, who also used their voices and created a platform to institute change. Women’s History Month allows us to take the time to remember and pay homage to revolutionary thinkers who, for decades, have tried to change the rights of all women. She and many others have dared to defy what she saw as capitalist oppression, racism, and sexism. Jones thought of women as the backbone of society’s greatest accomplishments.

Dolores Huerta is another powerful woman who spent most of her life as a political activist, fighting for better working conditions for farmworkers. Sadly, her effort was often outshined by Ceaser Chavez. She was and still is a labor leader paving the way for organizing farmworkers. She founded the Agricultural Workers Association and later teamed up with Cesar E. Chavez, and together, they created the National Farm Workers Association. She has empowered millions of women to challenge gender discrimination within the farm workers’ movement. Even now, she motivates Latina women to get involved in their community through her foundation, the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She continues to fight and advocate for the working poor, women, and children.

Lastly, one of the latest women we highlight is our current Vice President, Kamala Harris. She is the first woman of color to be nominated and the first woman ever elected as the Vice President of the United States of America and the first woman elected Vice President. Vice President Harris previously served as District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, and as a United States Senator. This has helped break down barriers and inspire our young girls to dream big and know that they too can become future leaders one day. Women are capable beings who run companies, bear children, raise families, provide major services in the healthcare field, and so much more. Sadly, discriminatory policies continue to limit the abilities of women everywhere.

In the end, this is what makes Women’s History Month even more critical to celebrate. We must continue to be fueled and inspired by our ancestry’s bravery. It’s encouraged that we discover stories of our mothers, grandmothers, and close relatives in our personal lives. With this information, we can better understand their lives, challenges and draw strength from the stories being told. The fight for equality and justice continues. Let’s use this month to learn for our future daughters and granddaughters.