It’s Women’s History Month, and this year’s national theme—Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories—honors women of all ages and backgrounds who shape and share the story of America, while expanding our understanding of the human condition and strengthening our connections with each other and our world.
Over generations and now, every day, women are removing barriers and paving the way for a more just and equitable future, whether they serve in classrooms or communities, lead their own businesses or board rooms, make new discoveries in laboratories, or work in any field of endeavor.
Women’s History Month—and International Women’s Day—give us a special opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of the trailblazing women who have devoted their lives to making the world a better place.
Our nation’s educator workforce is made up of a majority of women—about three-quarters of our nation’s teachers. Especially over the last few years and as our schools and students continue to recover from the pandemic, our teachers have shaped a powerful narrative … that education is central to the health, wellbeing, and academic growth of our youth and the prosperity of our communities and our country.
At the Department, we believe in the power of the voices of teachers; building an outstanding and diverse educator workforce; expanding opportunities for teacher leadership; and promoting better educator pay, working conditions, professional development, and retention strategies.
Women play a central role in the work of the U.S. Department of Education, too.
More than 60 percent of the Department’s workforce is comprised of women, who inspire both of us daily with their commitment to raising the bar on what it means to be a public servant, wearing many hats at work, at home, and in their communities, and never wavering in their service to achieving our important mission of expanding educational excellence and equity for all.
And while women continue to shape the story of this nation, we can’t forget that there is still much work to be done to achieve full gender equality. We’re heartened by the progress we’ve made as a country and when we imagine the transformative change that the next generation—the students currently in our classrooms—will lead!
Together, let’s all join in celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by honoring the positive impacts of women in our own lives and the life of our nation.
Let’s reflect on the ways that each of us can contribute to creating a more equitable and just world—whether that is through mentoring and empowering women and young girls, advocating for greater gender equality, or amplifying the voices of women, every action has power.