Celebrating Women’s History Month: Inspiring Women Who Promote Well-Being

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time set aside to honor women’s contributions to the history of the United States. Many such contributions are forgotten. For example, did you know that a woman invented the windshield wiper?

Prepare to be inspired by remarkable women whose groundbreaking contributions have transformed health and wellness. Some names will be familiar, while others will be exciting new discoveries—each a remarkable pioneer who has advanced medical science and human understanding.

The Importance of Women’s Health and Well-Being

Women face unique health challenges, particularly related to reproductive health, but also in the areas of heart disease and mental health disorders. For example, the symptoms of a heart attack differ by gender. Women thus have special challenges and need a holistic approach that includes healthy nutrition, mindfulness, and informed healthcare choices. Women’s History Month is a particularly important time for mental health issues that can come from societal pressures and caregiving responsibilities, which often fall disproportionately on women. Addressing these challenges can help women balance their lives and increase fulfillment.

Spotlight on Inspiring Women in Wellness

As we observe Women’s History Month, let’s spotlight some women with important roles in health and wellness.

1. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910). The first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., she opened the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children and encouraged more women to go into medicine.
2. Clara Barton (1821-1912). The American Red Cross is one of the largest and most powerful emergency care and disaster relief organizations in the world. It was founded by Barton.
3. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1894). The first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., she dedicated her life to providing care to formerly enslaved individuals.
4. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). This is the one most people have heard of. She’s the mother of modern nursing, transforming sanitation and other practices during the Crimean War.
5. Susan LaFlesche Picotte (1865-1915). The first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.
6. Brenda Loube (b. 1952) and Sheila Drohan (b. 1952). Pioneers in fitness and wellness in the 1980s, they recognized the need for health interventions in the workplace and shaped the employee wellness industry.
7. Nancy Brinkler (b. 1964). Founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the leading organization for breast cancer awareness and research.

This is obviously a short and incomplete list, but these women and others did much for wellness, and have inspired more women and girls to follow in their footsteps.

Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month

So, how can you celebrate Women’s History Month? Here’s three we’d like to highlight.

Support Women-Owned Businesses

Shopping locally is always better than ordering from a major online store. Choose women-owned businesses in March. Moving forward, make it a goal to support women entrepreneurs. Also, consider buying and reading books written by female authors.

Mental Health Awareness

Check-in with the women in your life, especially the mothers and caregivers you know. Check on their mental health, and talk frankly about it to reduce the stigma often associated with mental health.

Consider helping a woman in your life with practical stress reduction. Now is a great time to offer to babysit, or drop off a meal they don’t have to cook themselves.

Community Engagement

Last but not least, support or create community events and workshops to support women’s wellness. Consider events that support breast cancer awareness, reproductive health, or women’s mental health.

Get together with women to work on self-care, improved social connections, and anything of interest to women.

Sworkit Resources for Women’s Wellness

At Sworkit Health we support everyone’s wellness, but we have special resources for women. For example, we have a dedicated Maternal Care section that includes Pregnancy, Post-Natal, Pelvic Floor, Family-Friendly, and more! We also have resources for caregivers.

Our holistic wellness programs are easily accessed through our app and cover physical fitness, mental wellness, nutrition, etc, to help you get and stay healthy and in shape. This Women’s History Month, honor and support the women in your life, and let us help them build a balanced wellness routine for a better life.