Fifteen impactful ways to celebrate Women's History Month

Women’s History Month began Mar. 1, so here are 15 impactful ways to celebrate the rest of the month!

1. Write a thank you note to a woman that inspires you.

2. Take a class that will help you learn more about sex and gender, like Sex and Society (SOCY A468), Social Stratification (SOCY A404) or Gender, Comm and Culture (COMM A455).

3. Donate time, talents or money to organizations that help women, such as The Malala Fund, the Center for Reproductive Rights or the TransWomen of Color Collective.

4. Do some research to learn more about the historical fight for women’s rights and what women are currently battling.

5. Resolve to give non-appearance related compliments to the women and girls you know.

6. Watch TED Talks given by women, like “The danger of a single story” or “We should all be feminists” by novelist Chimamanda Adichie.

7. Learn about the prevalence of violence against women and educate others about it. Help a local advocacy group like the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons.

8. Don’t be a bystander when overhearing sexist comments or jokes about violence toward women. If you hear or see something, say something!

9. Remember minority women when discussing women’s history or current issues. Women of color, disabled women, queer women and transgender women have played a major role in every battle against female oppression.

10. Learn about feminism and feminist theory. Dive into Kimberle Crenshaw’s work in civil rights and intersectional feminism or read a book by Bell Hooks, a scholar in gender studies.

11. Believe women who speak up about violence or oppression that they have faced.

12. Volunteer as a Planned Parenthood escort, to help people seeking necessary healthcare, like birth control, mammograms, fertility services, STD testing and abortion.

13. Learn about the Equal Rights Amendment, which has been ratified by 37 out of the total 38 states needed to become law.

14. Buy some girl scout cookies from your local troop.

15.  Remember that women’s history applies to every day of the year, not just those in March.