NIWRC Recognizes March as Women’s History Month
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center recognizes the month of March as Women’s History Month. The national theme for this year’s Women’s History Month is “Nevertheless She Persisted.” However for us, as Indigenous women, we would like to add “Nevertheless she persisted and resisted.” Resistance, since contact, has been and continues to be a vital act of survival for our people.
This past year, we have seen that in action as the voices of Native women have been elevated, strengthened and supported by such growing and powerful movements as the #metoo and others. Native women have taken to the streets during national and local women’s marches, raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
This month, we’d like to honor our women, our grandmothers and those who came before us, the voices of resistance, the healers and protectors of water, land and resources and our most important resource, our children. We humbly ask all advocates, allies, media and community members to join in celebrating and highlighting the numerous Inspiring Native Women by using #WomensHistoryMonth, #NativeWomenHistory, and #InspiringNativeWomen on your social media and in your community. Let us take the time to honor those women who work tirelessly to restore safety and sovereignty to our Tribal Nations!
RESOURCES for March Women’s History Month:
- SUBMIT: A photo & short story for NIWRC’s, Inspiring Native Women, photo album on NIWRC’s Facebook. In honor of the sacredness of Native women and our ancestral grandmothers, we are sharing some of these women's stories here, in hopes of honoring their legacies, inspiring others, and celebrating their leadership. If you have a story of an inspiring historic Native woman to share, please let us know! We would love to hear from you--please contact us at predcorn@niwrc.org.
- VISIT: Please check out our 2018 Spring Edition e-newsletter, Advocate! Beyond the Shelter Doors, for more information and resources during March’s Women’s History Month.
- READ: NIWRC Features: Native Daughters-Oklahoma for March Women’s History Month
- EXPLORE: Women’s History Site from the National Archives. The National Archives celebrates Women’s History Month, recognizing the great contributions that women have made to our nation. Learn about the history of women in the United States by exploring their stories, letters, photographs, film, and other primary sources. Including a profile on Minnie Spotted Wolf one of the first Native American women to enlist in the U.S. military, joined the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve over 70 years ago.
- SUPPORT: The StrongHearts Native Helpline – Help us get the word out to our relatives in need 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) – 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST, callers can connect at no cost one-on-one with knowledgeable StrongHearts advocates who can provide lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable survivors to find safety and live lives free of abuse.
Be sure to SIGN your organization on to support a Congressional Resolution Declaring May 5, 2018 a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls!
Lucy Simpson, Executive Director
