Women’s History Month 2024: Celebrating women’s triumphs

National Women’s History month is celebrated every March, honoring the remarkable women in American history who paved the way for society.

In conjunction with this celebration, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Women’s Leadership Conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at the Cajundome Convention Center. 

The conference is structured to foster personal and professional development, and includes breakout sessions and networking opportunities.

The theme of this year’s conference, which will be hosted by UL Lafayette’s Office for Campus Diversity, is “The Future of Work – The Role of Women in a Changing Landscape.”

UL Lafayette alumnus Claire Babineaux-Fontenot will be the keynote speaker for the  conference. She is the chief executive officer of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization and the second-largest American charity.

Babineaux-Fontenot was also among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020.

The goal of the conference is to provide an opportunity for personal and professional leadership development that is centered on the needs of women from various cultural backgrounds.

Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to register for the conference.

The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “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 lives and institutions.

It also highlights the importance of letting different voices be heard, despite differences in culture, race and socio-economic backgrounds.

There is great value in hearing from women of diverse backgrounds as the perspectives offered will be much more dynamic.

Women have valuable insights to contribute, and all should be given the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills, as well as voice out their thoughts and opinions. 

Today, women have been trying to prove that fairness in institutions and social interactions is critical in order for society to be just and equal.

Jalana Willis is a sophomore majoring in criminal justice. When asked if she had ever experienced unfair treatment for being a woman, she shared, “Yes when I was left out of certain topics, you know how you get that ‘you won’t understand because you’re a girl.’”

While unkind comments like the one mentioned by Willis may seem harmless, they reflect the underlying gender biases and discrimination in society.

It takes courage for women to advocate for practical goals like equity, diversity and inclusion when established forces aim to misinterpret, exploit or discredit them.

Women’s History Month celebrates the women who have been courageous in pushing for reforms that are reaching for those goals.

An influential woman in American history is Sojourner Truth, an African-American abolitionist who dedicated her life to fighting and defending gender equality. 

In 1828, she became the first Black woman to win a custody court battle against a white man, and was able to recover her son from slavery. 

At the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention of 1851, Truth delivered a speech titled “Ain’t I a Woman?” that stirred hearts and became widely told during the Civil War era.

Important female figures like Truth shaped society into what it is today. While gender equality and equity is still an ongoing and progressive fight, the efforts of these women have no doubt left a lasting impact.

Besides influential female leaders, all women in the community that make society a better place should be celebrated as well.

Aspen LeBlanc, a freshman majoring in marketing, says that the most inspirational female figure in her life would be her mother. 

“Definitely my mom, she raised three kids by herself, no child support, she owns her own business, that’s a very strong woman right there,” LeBlanc said.

Breanna Sommers, a senior majoring in music media, also agreed that her mother is the most influential female figure in her life. 

“My mum, she’s just a very resilient and strong person, she brought me up well and taught me important things,” Sommers said.

Mothers are, without a doubt, one of the most important female figures in the community. From birthing to raising their children, they ensure the continuation of generations to come. 

With the continuous efforts of feminists pushing for equal rights, the younger generations are able to experience better equality and a more diverse community. 

Jade Allen is a freshman majoring in visual arts. When asked what being a woman means to her in today’s society, she stated, “Being a woman in today’s society can be whatever you make of it. For ages, women have always been told what they can or cannot be, but I feel like we are granted the privilege to be able to choose what we want now.

Surely enough, society has come a long way in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion. 

This would not have been possible without the efforts of the brave and determined female figures who fought for the rights of all women.

Hence, Women’s History Month 2024 honors these women as well as celebrates all women in society who strive to defy gender stereotypes and inequality.