March is Women's History Month

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Throughout March, base personnel will observe Women's History Month and celebrate the theme, "I am a Woman, Phenomenally."

The Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., committee selected the theme in recognition of Maya Angelou's Poem, "Phenomenal Woman.”

Col. Chad Ellsworth, installation commander, along with Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes, installation command chief, kicked off the month by signing a Women’s History Month proclamation Feb. 27 at the Minuteman Commons.

“American women have been and continue to be proud warriors in support of Hanscom’s mission to defend our country, our allies and our way of life,” read 1st Lt. Nijha London, WHM project officer, prior to Ellsworth signing the proclamation.

Among the activities planned this month, WHM organizers will conduct a “Dress for Success Clothing Drive” to donate to a local women's shelter.

“The clothing drive will collect women's business-appropriate attire to donate to low-income women in Greater Boston who are seeking job opportunities,” said London.

The committee will also host an art workshop March 18 at the Minuteman Commons Musket Room and hold an art showcase on April 3 in the lobby of the Commons.

Women's History Month traces its beginnings back to 1911 with the first International Women's Day. It then gained popularity throughout the U.S., and in February of 1980, then-President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.

In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to pass a Joint Resolution that designated the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month.

For further information about any of the scheduled events, contact London at 781-225-0146.

To learn more about Women’s History month, visit https://womenshistorymonth.gov/.