Written by Nishagie Hettiarachchi
Edited by Lesley Pham
Women’s History Month takes place every year in March. This month celebrates the contribution of women to history, culture, and society. Organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, this has been taking place since 1987. This year's theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced,” designated by the National Women’s History Alliance to recognize the battle for women’s suffrage.
Graphic made by Ori Nguyen, from Arts for Relief
Some important American historical figures are Abigail Adams, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks. Abigail Adams was the first lady during the presidency of John Adams. She was an early advocate for women’s rights and opposed slavery. Susan B. Anthony was a women’s rights activist who supported anti-slavery movements and women’s suffrage. Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Rosa Parks was best known for her role in the bus boycotts and as an active fighter for civil rights.
In regards to mental health, many women feel ashamed to seek help for mental disorders.
Some are not aware of their symptoms to go to a specialist while others are aware but don’t seek help for various reasons. In 2017, 46.6 million adults in the U.S. were treated for a mental illness, representing nearly 20% of the adult population, yet the percentage of women being treated for mental illness was almost 50% higher than the percentage of men (22.3% vs. 15.1%, according to the National Institute of Mental Health). A study conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch found that women service members were diagnosed with anxiety at a rate that was 1.4 times that of their male counterparts, and women in the survey were 1.9 times more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression (Psychological Health Center of Excellence). Women are twice as likely as men to be impacted by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with panic disorder (PD). 1 in 5 women (19%) experience a Common Mental Disorder (i.e depression or anxiety) compared to 1 in 8 men (12%). 75% of mental health issues are established before the age of 24, and young women have emerged as the highest-risk group for mental ill-health.
Creators from different backgrounds depict the theme for this year’s Women’s History Month with their different forms of art.
One was Kirsty Latoya whose Emotion Series (2016-2018) “depicts different forms of mental illness such as depression, stress/anxiety, and eating disorders through a series of digital drawings showcasing black women struggling with such illnesses, as a result of their communities’ strife,” according to Society19’s Hailey Reagan. Another is Kim Noble, an artist with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) who has “20 identities that she lives with, 15 of which like to create visual art, in all different forms. Each of these identities has different names, ages, and backgrounds,” as described by Reagan.
In this month and every month, it’s important to discuss and highlight the importance of those who contribute to society positively. Reach out to those you know who identify as women this month, and every month, to let them know you appreciate and value them. Keep tabs on your friends and family and check in on them, especially in the wake of these hard times with Asian and POC community attacks. Remember to stay safe and to stay up-to-date on the news while spreading positivity in your community. As a reminder, here at Arts for Relief, we are always open to anyone who needs a listening ear or any support.
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