Women’s History Month celebrates the vital contributions women have made to history, culture, and society. It is a time to honor the women who have broken barriers, created opportunities, and continue to pave the way for future generations.‍

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Why Do We Celebrate Women’s History Month?‍

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Women’s History Month is a time dedicated to reflecting on the contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, and Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of milestones in women’s history reaches back to the founding of the United States.

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The celebration of Women’s History Month originated from a week-long observance of women’s contributions to culture, history, and society, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Presentations were held at numerous schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest, and a parade took place in downtown Santa Rosa.

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The idea quickly gained national momentum. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The following year, Congress passed a resolution establishing the celebration nationwide. In 1987, after advocacy by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women’s History Alliance), Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of March.‍

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Women's History Month Theme 2026

The National Women's History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. This year's theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future," focusing on how "women are designing blueprints for sustainable transformation."

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“Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” expands our understanding of sustainability beyond just environmental concerns. It encompasses financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession, and intergenerational equity. Whether developing green technologies, advancing economic justice, strengthening education systems, or building civic power – women are designing blueprints for sustainable transformation. This theme affirms that shaping a sustainable future means fostering systems that support both people and the planet.‍

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Women's History Month Facts | Important Women In Transportation

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Mary Anderson (1903): An American inventor and entrepreneur credited with inventing the first operational windshield wiper. In her 1903 U.S. patent, Anderson described her design as a “window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles,” a hand-operated mechanism using a blade to clear snow, ice, or sleet from the windshield.

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Lillie Elizabeth Drennan: An American truck driver and businesswoman. She was the co-founder of the Drennan Truck Line, a member of the Texas Women's Press Association and the Texas Transportation Association in the United States. She is recognized as the first American woman to receive a truck driver's license and to operate a trucking company.

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Elizabeth "Liddy" Dole: A trailblazing American politician whose career included many “firsts” for women. She was the first female Secretary of Transportation (1983–87); the first female executive of the American Red Cross (1991–99) since its founder, Clara Barton; and the first serious female contender for the Republican presidential nomination (2000). Dole also served in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009.‍

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Carmen Turner: Made history in 1983 as the first Black woman to lead a major transit agency when she became General Manager of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Carmen earned widespread praise for her management of WMATA during a crucial time for the relatively young agency. Her accomplishments included overseeing a 40 percent expansion of the agency’s Metrorail service from 42 miles and 47 stations to 73 miles and 63 stations. In 1988, APTA named WMATA the nation’s best bus and rail system, and Carmen was named Transit Manager of the Year in 1989.

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Lily Ley: VP and CIO for PACCAR, recognized for leading technology modernization in the trucking industry. She is an IT specialist who leads modernization efforts at PACCAR. Ley was recognized as “2016 Washington Most Powerful and Influential Women” by the Washington Diversity Council.

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Janet Guthrie: She is the first female to qualify and race in either the Indianapolis 500, or the Daytona 500, both of which she competed in during 1977. Guthrie competed in her first Daytona 500 in 1977, finishing 12th when her car’s engine failed with 10 laps to go. She also earned the honor of Top Rookie in the race. Following her Daytona 500 debut, Guthrie became the first woman to qualify and compete in the Indy 500, but finished 29th, again with engine problems. She would compete in two more Indy 500s, finishing ninth in the 1978 race. In addition to the IndyCar races, Guthrie also competed in 33 NASCAR Cup races over five seasons. Her highest finish in a NASCAR Cup race was sixth-place at Bristol in 1977.