Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 280
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T18:53:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution (H. Res. 280) aims to express the U.S. House of Representatives' support for the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month, which is observed in March. It seeks to raise awareness about women's contributions to U.S. history, particularly their roles in the suffrage movement, education, and civil rights, while honoring ongoing efforts to teach and celebrate this history.
Key Provisions
- Historical Context: The resolution includes numerous "whereas" clauses detailing milestones in women's history, such as:
- The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, which launched the women's suffrage movement (the right to vote).
- Key figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Ida B. Wells, and events like Wyoming granting women voting rights in 1869 and the 19th Amendment's ratification in 1920.
- Firsts in political roles, including Jeanette Rankin as the first woman elected to Congress (1916), Rebecca Felton as the first woman in the Senate (1922), Nellie Tayloe Ross as the first female governor (1925), and more recent achievements like Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President (2020).
- The origins of National Women's History Month, starting as Women's History Week in 1978, expanded by Congress in 1981 and 1987, and supported by organizations like the National Women's History Alliance (founded 1980) and the National Women's History Museum (founded 1996).
- Core Resolution: The House:
- Supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month for 2025, themed "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations."
- Recognizes and honors women and organizations that promote teaching women's history and the suffrage movement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on prior congressional recognitions, such as the 1981 and 1987 resolutions establishing Women's History Week and expanding it to a full month, by reaffirming and updating support for the observance.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Encourages public education and awareness through schools, communities, and events, potentially inspiring greater inclusion of women's history in curricula and local celebrations. It may foster cultural recognition without enforceable requirements.
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact; it may prompt symbolic actions like proclamations from federal or state entities, but no funding or policy mandates are involved.
- On International Relations: None, as it focuses solely on U.S. domestic history and observances.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women and Women's Organizations: Groups like the National Women's History Alliance and the National Women's History Museum benefit from formal recognition, which could enhance their visibility and funding efforts.
- Educators and Communities: Teachers, schools, parents, and local organizations involved in history programs may use the resolution to promote events and integrate women's history into education.
- Historians and Activists: Individuals and advocates focused on suffrage and equal rights gain acknowledgment for past and ongoing work.
- Members of Congress and the Public: The resolution promotes bipartisan appreciation of U.S. history, affecting the broader public through increased cultural dialogue.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No binding legal effects; resolutions like this are expressive tools without the force of law.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the First Amendment's protection of free speech and assembly by supporting educational and commemorative activities, but it raises no constitutional challenges.
- Political: As a simple resolution introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, it signals non-controversial support for gender equality and historical education. It could influence future legislative priorities on women's issues by highlighting ongoing advocacy, though it carries no enforcement power.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-03-31: Submitted in House
- 2025-03-31: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month. — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (5 pages)