What began in 1978 as a weeklong observation in Santa Rosa, California, and was proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter as National Women’s History Week just two years later, is now officially Women’s History Month. First established by an act of Congress in 1987, the annual declaration memorializes the contributions women have made to U.S. history.

Here in Oakland County, the Board of Commissioners is recognizing local women for the historic impact they have made in their communities. Commissioners were invited to submit the names of exceptional women for this honor as part of the Board’s celebration of March as Women’s History Month. This is the second year the Board has honored outstanding local women.