The month of March is dedicated to celebrating women's history. Anne Sadick from the Worcester Historical Museum said dozens of women from Worcester pioneered the way for women's equality.
"We stand on the shoulders of theses remarkable women," said Sadick.
One of these women was Abby Kelley Foster. In 1850, she was a key speaker at the first Women's National Rights Convention held on Main street in Worcester. She spent more than 20 years lecturing across the country on abolitionism. A charter school in her honor opened in Worcester in 1998.
Camilla Gertrude Whitcomb was another woman known for her contribution to women's rights. Whitcomb was an active member of the National Women's Party. In 1917, she was arrested for picketing outside the White House in protest of authorities holding the NWP's leader prisoner.
"All 41 women were arrested for loitering, and she was sentenced to 30 days in Occoquan Workhouse. The history says it was a very difficult stay," said Sadick.
She was jailed again for protesting President Woodrow Wilson's visit to Boston in 1919.
Another influential woman, and possibly the most well-known from Worcester, was Frances Perkins. She was a strong worker's rights advocate. She successfully lobbied the state legislature for a bill limiting the work week of women and children. She was also the first woman appointed to the United States cabinet and served as U.S. Secretary from 1933 to 1945.
"She was a very loyal supporter of Franklin Roosevelt and a key player in writing the New Deal legislation, which included setting minimum wage laws," explained Sadick.
Worcester dedicated a branch of their public library to Perkins.
Sadick said this month is used to reflect on how far women have come and the work which still needs to be done.