March 1st marks the beginning of Women’s History Month in the USA. This began life in 1978 as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. It was originally only Women’s History Week, but was so popular it was copied by towns and cities across the country. In 1987, Congress designated March each year as Women’s History Month.
According to the National Women’s History Museum the theme this year is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence.” All over the USA events will honour “women who have led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society.”
One group of women from San Mateo, California did a lot to raise the spirits of their sisters during the bleakest days of the Second World War. The Daughters of St George sent Christmas parcels to the Bedminster Emergency Station, Bristol. Packed with rare treats like candy , American comics and magazines these were distributed at New Year 1941 among those who had been bombed out of their homes.
You can find out more about city life during the Second World War in my new book, Struggle and Suffrage in Bristol which is available direct from the publisher, Pen and Sword Books, and from Amazon.