Women's History Month | Ohio University

Graphic with text "2024 Women's History Month: Celebrating Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion."

Why We Celebrate

Women’s History Month is a time to uplift the women-identifying individuals in our lives. Women have made great strides throughout history, and we recognize those contributions throughout the month of March.

The National Women’s History Alliance has designated the 2024 national theme for Women’s History Month as “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion”. The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

"During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity. They know that people change with the help of families, teachers and friends, and that young people in particular need to learn the value of hearing from different voices with different points of view as they grow up”.

Women's History Month Events

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Women's History at OHIO and Beyond

Women's History Month

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women's History Month.
National Women's History Month Alliance
Gender Wage Gap

The median salary for women is just 83% of the median salary for men — a figure that has barely budged over the past generation. The wage gap is even greater for most women of color.
Workplace & Economic Equity
First Woman Graduate at OHIO

In 1873, Margaret Boyd became the first woman to graduate from Ohio University. She was also the first woman to preside over the Alumni Association, holding the position from 1894-1895. Both the old and new Boyd Halls were named in her honor.
Margaret Boyd
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at OHIO

The Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program began with a certificate program in women's studies established in 1979. A bachelor's degree in Women's and Gender Studies was established around 2006.
History of WGSS at OHIO
First Black Woman to Graduate From OHIO

Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn was the first Black woman to graduate from Ohio University, with a B.S. ED. in 1916. She majored in English and Literature with a minor in home economics. She taught home economics in Ohio and West Virginia.
Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn
Ohio University Women's Center

The Women's Center at OHIO opened in 2007. The center is located in Baker University Center room 403 and is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The center provides education, advocacy and support for women and all genders.
Women's Center

Explore Women's History

Ohio University Women's History Pinterest Board

Peruse materials related to women's history at Ohio University from collections of the Mahn Center for Archives & Special Collections and the Ohio University Libraries.

Pinterest Board
Women's History Tour of Athens

This virtual tour focuses on notable figures in women's history at Ohio University and throughout Athens.

Virtual Tour
Women Promoting Education in Southeast Ohio

Learn more about notable women who have played an important role in promoting education within the University and beyond.

Notable OHIO Women

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