Celebrating: National Women’s History Month

March is National Women’s Month in the United States. It has been observed annually since 1987 to honor women’s contributions to society, history and culture.

American women have achieved many firsts; here are a few:

• The first convention held to advocate women’s rights was at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848.
• In 1869, Wyoming Territory was the first US territory to grant women the right to vote.
• The first woman elected to an American political office was Susanna Salter, mayor of Argonia, Kansas in April 1887.
• Elizabeth Blackwell was the first accredited American female doctor and founded the first medical school for women.
• Edith Wharton became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her novel - The Age of Innocence - in 1921.
• In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to successfully fly more than 20 hours across the Atlantic.

"We Can Do It" poster, J. Howard Miller. Image credit: Wikipedia

This year’s theme is “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination,” which recognizes the contributions and achievements of women in the fields of science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

In honor of International Women's Day next week, we will publish some of our favorite inspirational stories of women in your family tree.

Do you have women in your family who were pioneer inventors? Do you have any stories of women ancestors' contribution to society, culture and innovation? We'd like to hear your stories. Share them in the comments below, or email them to stories@myheritage.com.