Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

HRC is proud to celebrate incredible leaders throughout March to honor Women’s History Month. From champions of equality in our past, to leaders on the front lines of the movement today, women have been at the heart of the fight to make the world a better place for all.

The contributions made by lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women including Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Laverne Cox, Sara Ramirez, Ellen DeGeneres, Lili Elbe, Martha P. Johnson, Billie Jean King, Patrisse Cullors, Janet Mock, Geena Rocero, Alice Walker and Edith Windsor will leave an indelible mark on our efforts toward achieving full LGBTQ equality.

Just as essential to the fight for equal rights are LGBTQ allies including Hillary Clinton, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.),  Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dolores Huerta, Janelle Monae, and Meryl Streep. They have made it their mission to speak up and advocate for a more just and equal nation.

As we reflect and honor female advocates, we also recognize the contributions of today’s youth, including former HRC Youth Ambassador Jazz Jennings and Parkland, Florida, high school student Emma González, who are living their lives fully and authentically to make the world a better place for girls and young women everywhere. These incredible young people are fighting to ensure that others can live authentically, safe from fear of stigma, persecution and gun violence.

Throughout March, HRC will lift up stories of some of these incredible advocates, renewing our commitment to making the world a better place for girls and women everywhere.