March 8, 1911 marked the first celebrated International Women’s Day in many European nations as well as the United States, the topic at that time was women’s rights. Their presence in the Bible, their contributions to HIS-story, their place in modern day society; many women’s groups focused their energies and causes around these political issues. Books were written, organizations were formed, many even sparked protests and debates from not only the male poplulation, but some women as well who felt that each sex had their own place in society and that by supporting a ‘feminist’ movement, it was creating a shift in the norm that some were not ready for.
When the economic depression of the 1930’s hit, women’s rights went out of fashion. It stayed dormant thru World War II and well into the 50’s. It wouldn’t be until dissatisfied middle class housewives of the 1960’s started to desire more, that the women’s movement began to see a new revival. It was the Women’s Liberation movement, and interest in women’s issues and women’s history blossomed again.
By the 1970’s, HIS-story was replaced with HER-story by women in the movement who aspired to reclaim their rightful places not only in the classroom textbooks and teachings here in America, but worldwide. This was a movement that united women from many social, economic, and cultural backgrounds into a common cause.
As more and more women began to rally around the liberation of their fellow ‘sisters’, the desire to expand the celebration of the bearers of civilization increased from one day to one week. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women birthed our nation’s first Women’s History Week celebration with much success. This event sparked women from all over the country to start their own local projects and three years later, the United States Congress passed a resolution establishing the week long celebration nationwide. This recognition encouraged even wider participation in Women’s History Week. In 1987, at the request of the National Women’s History Project, Congress expanded the week to a month, and the U.S. Congress has issued a resolution every year since then.
In honor of our beautiful and brave SHEro’s, inventors, movers, shakers, and the many strong and supportive women throughout history who either willingly took ten steps backwards so that the men in their lives could feel like they moved ten steps forward, or ventured out on their own to make their marks in the world, J&O has dedicated a whole section to the essence of a woman. From fabric with a cause like our Breast Cancer Awareness fabric inspired by the courageous First Lady Betty Ford, to designs that reflect all the fun and fanciful attributes of the feminine creature, J&O has it all.
Take one month of the year to remember the contributions of both the notable and ordinary women in your life, starting with the one you call ‘ MOM ‘. Then celebrate them with us…365!
Check out our fabulous selection of women’s novelty fabric here!
Check out our selection of fun novelty fabrics here!
Check out our great selection of Breast Cancer Awareness fabric here!
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