March is Women’s History Month, and March 8th is International Women’s Day. Beginning in the early 1900s, informal and formal celebrations were held to honor the achievements of women during the month of March. Then in 1980, U.S. President Jimmy Carter designated the week of March 8th as Women’s Day, and in 1987, the U.S. Congress declared March as Women’s History Month.
Although Women’s History Month has American roots, the celebration of women’s contributions to society is felt globally. Today, March 8th recognizes significant achievements of women in many fields, including economics, politics, medicine, science and the law.
The month of March is also an opportunity to reflect on the positive influence of women in shaping families, strengthening communities and fostering growth. Speaking of the influence of women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Church”), Camilla Kimball
explained, “Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers.”
The Women In Law Committee of the J. Reuben Clark Society is also celebrating International Women’s Day this year by hosting a Women In Law panel on March 8th at the Law Society’s Annual Conference in Mexico City. The session, which will be moderated by Mexico Area Chair Shasllely García Guillén, and feature panelists Rana Lehr-Lehnhardt and Andrea Martinez Angel, will focus on how JRCLS members can combat violence against women. The Women In Law Committee will also present the Rebecca Van Uitert Women In Law Service Award during this special session at the conference.
There are many other ways for female attorneys to celebrate the month of March, including by leading out in both the law and their community in worthwhile projects. Relief Society President of the Church and attorney Camille Johnson proclaimed, “As a lawyer, I always saw myself as a problem-solver . . . As disciples of Jesus Christ, we come together today in support of one another, and seeking to strengthen and deepen a personal relationship with Him and our Father in Heaven. Because together in Christ, all things are possible.”
As women work together as attorneys and as disciples of Jesus Christ, they strengthen their law practice, their families and the world.