The women’s group that instituted Women’s History Month declared this year’s theme to be “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

Many people don’t know the origin of the Women’s History Month that we are celebrating. The National Women’s History Month Alliance took a page from Black History by first advocating for a Women’s History week in 1980. It used the week to amplify the stories of women who helped shape history through their struggles and sacrifices. By 1987, the group had successfully lobbied Congress to expand the recognition to the full month of March.

There are many glorious events, people and accomplishments of women to lift up and honor. The plight of women today, especially women of color here in the U.S. and globally, tell of a not-so-glorious picture. The rise of white supremacy, coupled with centuries of patriarchy, have hampered women’s development and even ended their lives.

Around the world, it is women who face the brunt of armed conflict and represent the majority of refugees. More than half of the world’s conflict-related refugee population is made up of women and children. In some countries, that number is higher. Females face sexual violence, physical and verbal abuse, as well as lack of access to basic human needs. In the quest for power and land, their safety and security is a low priority.

In the U.S., the conflict is on a different level, but women still face sexual violence, physical and verbal abuse. In this developed country, many lack access to basic human needs. Their overall development is stunted by the conditions in which they live.

Black women are lifted up as Super Sheroes – impervious to pain and suffering. The reality is that the heavy load that Black women have shouldered for generations is taking its toll as the political climate becomes more anti-Black, anti-women and anti-trans. The stereotype of the strong, resilient Black woman who can survive anything is literally killing us.

When I think about the March theme, I wonder where’s the “moving” and who is the “together.” The traditional women’s movement still struggles to fully understand the issues of working-class women no matter their race. That movement could be more robust and powerful if it knew how to be truly inclusive.

Even around reproductive rights, it took years for middle-class white women to understand that it wasn’t just about the right to a safe and accessible abortion, but it was about reproductive justice. That’s why you can see the High Court’s ruling being reversed on the state levels.

The white Republican legislature in Missouri was so sure the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade that they voted in a trigger legislature which simultaneously made Missouri the first state in the union to ban abortion. We saw a diverse movement built around the successful ballot initiative that created a constitutional right to “reproductive freedom.” Of course, that same legislature is now trying to beat the victory back.

Under the current administration of a convicted felon and sexual predator, women and their allies are going to have to fight like hell to protect the rights and liberties of women. We need a different kind of support system and an aggressive strategy that affirms all women as full citizens capable of the highest development under nurturing conditions.

Moving together means collectively turning our focus to the trump oligarchy who is slashing and burning programs that are essential to this affirmation. Moving together means making sure the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised are included in the fight for their own liberation as women. Moving together looks like defeating the forces of reaction that want to put women in their place – voiceless and powerless. Let’s move like it’s 2025, not 1925.