As March draws to a close, we look back at Women’s History Month, and find out why it is important that we celebrate women’s history.
“I read (history) a little as a duty, but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all – it is very tiresome: and yet I often think it odd that it should be so dull, for a great deal of it must be invention. The speeches that are put in heroes’ mouths, their thoughts and designs – the chief of all this must be invention, and invention is what delights me in other books”.
This quote is from Catherine Morland, the heroine of Northanger Abbey, which is my absolute favourite book by Jane Austen (1775-1817). Austen is a famous British novelist who also wrote Pride & Prejudice and Emma. This is also my favourite quote ever from a book because I love history but it’s incredibly boring when it’s just about men fighting with each other over who gets to be king or pope.
I love March because the entire month is dedicated to celebrating women’s history. Women’s History Month isn’t just about learning of famous queens like Queen Elizabeth I or empresses like Catherine the Great of Russia but about recognising the rebellious women who’ve changed history like Joan of Arc, who dressed as a man and led the French to victory against the English. This was despite the fact that Joan had no real military training and girls were most definitely not allowed to dress like men. Or, lead armies.
