It’s actually still not a decided fact when Women’s History Month, or “Women’s Day,” first started. One source documents that the American Socialist Party first celebrated a National Women’s Day on Feb. 28, 1909.

Yet, many still argue that it was officially started do to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on March 25, 1911. Nearly 150 women died that day, and this month has become a yearly reminder to honor these women.

It is in great memory and respect that we present the women of the past and future with the month of March. Yet, analyzing the situation, you can’t help but wonder why it sometimes feels so artificial and lacking.

Why do we even have a month for women, if not one for men? The reason resting on the fact that these men in history are being honored each and every day.

Every history textbook across the nation is dedicated to the admirable accomplishments of men. Whereas women on the other hand, will be presented with a paragraph here or there.

You would think that women (who make up the majority) would be equally known for their tributes. But, unfortunately they are not.

Junior Dan Adler remarks, “The things that textbooks do mention are so insignificant or lacking detail that they present women to be inferior or of no importance.”

This is where Neshaminy's Women’s Studies course falls into effect. Finally, a course devoted solely to expressing all the issues of women (a.k.a., all the information ignored in your past 12 years of education).

The still existing problem though, is then trying to summarize the entire history of women into an optional, one semester, course senior year.

After questioning the thoughts and perspectives that teachersmay undergo, student teacher Deby Recupido inquires that not only is there still a lack of representation of women in even the newest textbooks, but what would seem like a direct course becomes instead just a slight overview of the accomplishments women have done.

Recupido then added, “In general, the history books have gotten better these past few years incorporating women, but there’s always more to learn. And a never-ending supply of knowledge to be offered.”

In a recent study, conducted in the first week of March, random Neshaminy students were put to the test of how many names in history they could recall.

Each student was asked to name as many historical figures in history as they could in one minute. The first time was only for naming men, and the second was for women.

The outcome of the timed survey proved that high school kids remember more men in history than that of women. The results were at a ratio of three to seven and the comparison of 54 percent to 23 percent. Meaning, for every two men retained in history, only one woman is given the same recognition.

“Women are so over-looked in history, there’s no one to think of!” sophomore Sean McGovern yelled in frustration during the test.

Women’s Studies teacher Alice Price offers her opinion that a large part of that experiment’s conclusion is simply a result from our focusing on positions of power and not on the people who are presented in a smaller sphere.

“When focusing on political history instead of social or cultural history, we fail to pass down the knowledge of many women who have made a difference.” Price explains. “I’d much rather see us looking at more every-day people. Issues rather than events.”

Those who disagree would argue that the reason our text books and curriculums are lacking women’s history is due to the fact that women didn’t accomplish as much as men have in the past. Women weren’t as high on the ladder as men were and, therefore didn’t have the freedom to do as their will told them.

However, even as that may seem true, it is difficult for one to call that fact. In a society where those who are in political leadership are the ones remembered women obviously fail to play the role of just simply being the ‘affected majority.’

In other words, they become known as the people following through with and living these man-made laws, yet nothing more.
But, experience isn’t honored as we learn; only the decision-making that is presented to these people can make it to the books. Apparently, that seems to be the only worthwhile, important part of history in our society.

Therefore, it’s no surprise how the results of the survey turned out. How would women be known for anything ‘important’ in history today, if it were limited to only those events accomplished through written documents or signed bills?

On top of this, those students who do want to learn more aren’t even given that fair chance due to the limit of classes offered in one year.

And, being that this course is only offered your senior year, it’s virtually impossible for all the students who desire this course to have the satisfaction of achieving it.