22 Women's History Month Ideas for High School Homeschoolers

Women's History Month is a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society observed annually in the United States. Every year in March, we recognize the often-overlooked contributions of women in United States history, many of whom are never even mentioned in textbooks.

In 1978, this spotlight on women's history started as a week-long event in the Sonoma school district in California but quickly began to spread. In 1980, then-President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring a National Women's History Week in March. The following year, Congress passed a resolution firmly establishing the week-long national celebration. In 1987, the National Women's History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance) successfully petitioned Congress to allocate the entire month of March for acknowledging women's contributions to history.

In addition to this event in the United States, there is an International Women's Day, officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, to celebrate women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The 2021 International Women's Day will be Monday, March 8. (This date was selected because it is strongly linked to the women's movements during the Russian Revolution in 1917. Who knew?) 

Julia Obear, messenger girl at the National Women's [i.e. Woman's] Party headquarters

To further explore National Women's History month in your homeschool, here are 22 easy-to-complete ideas for creating a high school unit study for individual or co-op setting.  

Research Women's Contributions from History

First, have your student(s) research and choose a woman from history to represent each of the following categories: science, education, politics, sports, the arts (literature, music, art), humanitarian or philanthropic efforts, and leadership. Decide if selections should be from the beginning of United States history, specific century, or decade. (Consider a period that coincides with another subject being studied.)

Find some ideas at these websites:

 > Famous Women in History | HISTORY.com - HISTORY

  > Women in STEM | PBS Learning Media

  > Women in the Arts | PBS Learning Media

From the procured list, incorporate any of the following activities:

1.  Watch discussions from news sources or on YouTube, or read interviews from magazines. For media sources from farther back, try newspaper archives, old newsreels, or YouTube.

2.  Study their career paths. Learn more about their specific occupations and list what they achieved in those fields.  

3.  Watch TED talks given by any of the women.      

        
4.  Write a research paper on one of the women. Include a short biography, education, steps taken for success, highlights from her career, or other noteworthy achievements. (Practice writing the paper using the APA method to prepare for college.)

Include some of these additional activities into the unit study:

5.  Watch a biopic about a woman from history (it does not have to be from the list)—two places to check: this post at Readers Digest or this list on IMDb.

6.  Choose a book of fiction to read during the month from a popular woman author from the past 20 years (21^st century).

7.  Select a classic to read during the month from a woman author from the 20^th century. Try this list at Goodreads to get started.

8.  Complete an oral report on one woman or a group of women who impacted United States history. If in a co-op, pair up students and assign each team a different decade from the 20^th century to complete their biography. Include any authentic dress, items, or other props.  

9.  Explore museums where women's history exhibits can be viewed online, such as the National Women's History Museum.

10. Include fun activities to do as a group or family, like these games from Sign Up Genius or this scavenger hunt from We Are Teachers.

11, Create a playlist of music that celebrates women musicians or composers. One example is this Women of Classical playlist on Spotify. Listen to while studying or working on a project.  

12. Watch a movie highlighting something from women's history, such as women's baseball in  "A League of their Own." Afterward, do some research to learn how accurate the movie is with real history, then discuss.

13. Read about our new Vice President, Kamala Harris, tracing her career path to the vice presidency. Two books written by Ms. Harris are: 

  

The first is for older teens or adults; the second is for ages 12-15. (Click on the book for more info.)

Learn About Women's Rights Throughout the Years

First, have your student(s) research to create a list of some of the significant changes in women's rights over the 20th century. These pages from History.com, USHistory.org, or the Library of Congress will be helpful.

14. After research, create a timeline with the most prominent women's rights successes obtained in the 20^th century.

15. Discuss one of the events from the timeline that made a significant impact on women's rights. What were the women trying to achieve? How were they successful? Where do things still need to change? 

16. Watch a documentary about the event discussed or another issue of women's rights. (Try this post at Readers Digest or this list on IMDb.)

Alice Stokes Paul (January 11, 1885 – July 9, 1977) was an American Quaker, suffragist, feminist, and women's rights activist, and one of the main leaders and strategists of the campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits sex discrimination in the right to vote.

     Celebrate Women Who Inspire and Mentor Others

17. What ancestor in family history made a significant accomplishment in their family, career, or community? Who beat the odds to be successful in their endeavors? (Look for immigration stories, Dust Bowl or WW2  survival, securing a job previously held by a man, etc.)

18. Who has been an inspiration in your teen's life? Have them write a letter or card, sharing how the person has impacted them. If local, consider hand delivering with a treat or flowers. (The student can also choose a public figure and the letter sent via the person's public office address.)

19. Find a woman-owned business in your community. Plan a visit and see if it's possible to speak with the owner. Have your teen prepare questions to ask, such as: What education or experience was necessary? What were some obstacles? Successes?  At the end of the visit, be sure to purchase something from the store to show support. (All the better if it is a restaurant or other food establishment!)

20. Plan to sign up your teen for a STEM camp this summer so she can be mentored by other professionals in the field.

21. Write a report at the end of the month. Your teen can write about who or what was most inspiring, share her dreams or goals for the future, or in what way they can contribute to history. 

Eleanor Roosevelt talking with woman machinist during her goodwill tour of Great Britain

Demonstrate How Women Help Other Women   

22.  Look for non-profits specifically helping women, either locally or internationally. Research an organization and find a way to help. 

Some ideas: 

• Make a purchase(s) of a "gift that gives back" from a website that sells goods made by women internationally, such as Global Goods Partners.

• Collect clothing items in excellent shape for Dress for Success. With locations throughout the United States, this organization empowers women "to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." Team up with other homeschool families or work with a church or other community group to collect needed items following their donation policy.

• Contact a local women's shelter or refuge for trafficked women to determine needs, either maintenance help or supplies. This list provides ideas for women's needs that can be purchased and collected to donate.

• Women Build opportunities in your area. In connection with Habitat for Humanity, Women Build is open to "any woman who wants to learn how to build and construct a home." The best part is no experience is necessary! Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals and alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners.

Share in the comments how this resource has been beneficial
and what should be added to the list!

Disclosures: Links in this post, except for books, are non-affiliated and are for the benefit to help you with your homeschooling. Any affiliate links you purchase from are much appreciated and help with the cost of maintaining this blog.  Photos in this post are used from the Library of Congress "free to use" webpage.