March 1 officially started Women’s History Month, a month to look back and admire women who have contributed not only to history, but also to personal lives. March 1 also sparks the annual question, why is there no Men’s History Month?

Every day, society is constantly reminded by men’s successes. In history class, students always hear about an old white man who saves the country, but what about the women behind him? It is so easy to disregard women’s contributions or to just completely quash them.

In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was first signed, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “All men are created equal.” By all men, Jefferson meant all white men.

“In history class, we always hear about how Thomas Jefferson was this huge hero who ‘set America free,’ when in reality, only white men were free,” said sophomore Sadie Swanson. “It’s important to remember how far women have come since 1776, especially since we had nothing given to us.”

For so many centuries, men have consistently had more power than women. At one point in time, all of the following were illegal for women to do: voting, owning property, serving on a jury, practicing law and having control over their marriages.

Women have fought for every single thing they have but still go unnoticed, whereas men gain recognition for almost everything, sometimes even women’s accomplishments.

Take Rosalind Franklin for an example. Franklin, a female scientist, was the first person to photograph the double helix strand on DNA. Instead, two men, Crick and Watson, took all of her credit, without permission and won an award.

Another prominent woman who is making history today is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC. AOC is a a politician who has been serving as the representative of the New York’s 14th District since 2019. While she is seen as a trailblazer for many, that does not stop men, even politicians, from coming after her.

In July 2020, Republican Ted Yoho, a representative for Florida, accosted AOC on the Capitol steps.

“I was minding my own business walking up the steps, and Rep. Yoho put his finger in my face,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “He called me disgusting. He called me crazy. He called me out of my mind. And he called me dangerous.”

The Congresswoman then told Yoho his comments were rude, and continued to walk away, while reporters crowded the scene. However, the situation got even worse when Yoho was overheard firing an offensive word that far too many women are called.

“There were reporters in the front of the Capitol, and in front of reporters Rep. Yoho called me, and I quote, a ‘f—— b—-’,” said Ocasio-Cortez.

Unfortunately, verbal attacks like this happen all the time, especially to women politicians. However, AOC did not let this verbal abuse slide.

“This issue is not about one incident,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting of violence and violent language against women and an entire structure of power that supports that.”

Yoho desperately tried to defend himself, making weak excuses for his actions.

“Having been married for 45 years with two daughters, I’m very cognizant of my language,” said Yoho. “The offensive name-calling, words attributed to me by the press, were never spoken to my colleagues, and if they were construed that way, I apologize for their misunderstanding.”

AOC fired back even stronger, calling out Yoho for trying to use his female family members as covers for his behavior. She explained that having daughters and a wife doesn’t make a good man, but respect and dignity does. She also included that she is a daughter, too, and his words were simply inexcusable.

“I am someone’s daughter, too,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr. Yoho treated his daughter…. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television. And I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”

AOC is setting a strong example for girls. She stood up for herself and made it clear that she will not “stay calm” or “be ladylike” after being treated as she was. Even though she knew backlash would come, she still stuck up for what was right.

“After hearing AOC speak out, I was like, wow, someone is finally acknowledging the abuse and harassment women politicians face,” said freshman Melanie Tramo. “It felt really good to know that someone cared.”

Representation matters. Women’s History Month was created for that reason. Too many women go unnoticed, and too many men stand in front of them and their stories. Why have a month to represent something that gets noticed every day? There is no point in having a Men’s History Month, since every month represents men’s history.