By Amber Hirsch, Communications Coordinator

Women’s History Month stems from International Women’s Day, first held in New York in 1909. Now observed on March 8 in countries all over the world, it was originally called International Working Women’s Day to bring attention to women’s suffrage, and in remembrance of the 1908 International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union strike.

In 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Over the next several years Congress passed joint resolutions designating the week to be observed annually. The measure gained popularity, and by 1986, fourteen states had adopted the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month, stimulating programs and education surrounding women’s roles in history and society, and serving as a platform for gender equality.

In honor of Women’s History Month, HEC-TV features our exclusive line-up of local programs about women, by women, and for women. Watch our A Conversation With series this month (Mondays at 9:30 pm & 10:30 pm; Thursdays at 3 pm) as we feature women writers, musicians, notable personalities, and community leaders. Or enjoy our Maryville Talks Books series this month (Mondays at 10 & 11:30 am; Tuesdays at 6 & 6:30 pm; Wednesdays at 8 & 8:30 pm; Fridays at 2, 2:30 & 3 pm) with interviews and lectures from female authors including Judy Blume, Piper Kerman, Sue Grafton, and more. And all day on Sundays in March, watch films created by local women filmmakers on our Liquid Light series.

Other programs you won’t want to miss:

Josephine Baker: More Than A Banana Skirt, Saturdays at 8, 8:30 & 9 am

A Tribute to Mae Wheeler, Sundays at 9 pm & Wednesdays at 2 pm

Bachmann Book Series: My Life in Leadership (with author Frances Hesselbein and CEO Becky James Hatter), Fridays at 9 pm

A History of Women’s Achievement, Thursdays at 1:30 & 2 pm; Saturdays at 6:30 pm

Five Phenomenal Women, Wednesdays at 4:30 pm