On my desk at home, I have a little wooden box that stands upright, says “Empowered women empower women” and has paintings of three female figures of different ethnicities on it. I don’t remember which home decor store I picked it up, but I do remember the feeling I got when I read those words to myself. I thought, “Heck yeah, they do.”

Empowering. Leading. Responsible. Brave. Decent. Unyielding. Groundbreaking. Intelligent. Bold. Confident.

From Sacagawea to Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman to Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks to Gloria Steinem, Benazir Bhutto to Malala Yousafzai, and so many more influential women throughout the world’s history and in our current lifetime, we thank you for your profound contributions to the betterment of humankind. These women faced the dangers of extensive travel, slavery, jail, death, prejudice, persecution, violence and more.

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, with International Women’s Day March 8, we think of these women who have sacrificed their own lives for the safety and welfare of others. How truly awesome it is to know these women existed and made it their mission to fight against the wrongs of the world or to provide advances in science, equality and education? I am fortunate to recognize the names of and facts about these women.

Lehigh Valley libraries are honoring National Women’s History Month by holding events for patrons. Below is a list of great events to attend.

Chit Chat and Craft - Votes for Women sash project: 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 8 at Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie. Adults will make a Votes for Women sash, with all craft items supplied. Registration is required.

Dress as your favorite woman from history day: during regular hours March 18 at Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St, Emmaus. You can send in a photo or visit the library in person to be part of an online parade posted to the library’s Facebook page. If visiting the library, also enjoy puzzles, book displays and a historical figure scavenger hunt.

“National Women’s History Month traces its roots back to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions,” the Emmaus library writes on its website.

Women in STEM - Katherine Johnson event: 4-5 p.m. March 22 at Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem. All ages are welcome to this event, where attendees will learn about her “important role in NASA space missions through stories, make an O-ring flyer and experiment with flight,” the library explains. You do not need to register.

Trailblazing Life of Mary O’Toole reading: 10-11 a.m. March 25 at Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown. At this event, kids will hear a reading of an inspiring children’s book by local author Nichola Gutgold. “From babysitter to becoming the first woman judge of a municipal court in the United States, we discuss Mary O’Toole’s life of perseverance,” the library says. You must register for this event.

Another event in the Valley that is becoming popular is a get-together to support women-owned small businesses.

“Join us at the Nazareth Center for the Arts, 30 Belvidere St., Nazareth, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11. This is located across the street from our Nazareth shop location. We will be donating a portion of our profits this day to Turning Point Lehigh Valley. We encourage everyone to bring donations for this shelter, which include new items only, such as cleaning supplies, bath towels and washrags, baby wipes, soaps, toothpaste and other personal care items,” the description states on the Facebook event page.

Some Lehigh Valley small businesses participating are Tolinos Vineyard, Brown Skin Plant Mama, With Meraki Company, BeSkintiful, Blue Sky Candle Company, Joint Goods, Eclectic Company, Action Karate, A.M. Bakery and The Art Den.

This month, please take a moment to thank a woman in your life whom you find influential and tell her how much she means to you. As the popular quote, unknown author, goes, “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

Stacey A. Koch

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press