1. New Mexico Celebrated its First International Women’s Day in 1911
Although International Women’s Day wasn’t officially celebrated until 1975, New Mexico began celebrating the holiday in 1911. Women in the state organized rallies and marches to promote voting rights, ending discrimination, and improving working conditions.

2. The Women’s Army Corps Was Created on March 8, 1942
On March 8, 1942, Congress created the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), which was later renamed the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Thousands of women served in the WAC during World War II, performing non-combat duties throughout the U.S. and overseas.

3. César Chávez’s Birthday is Celebrated on March 31
Although not directly related to March 8, César Chávez’s birthday is celebrated on March 31 in New Mexico, as well as in several other states. Chávez was a farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.

4. The First All-Women’s Air Race was Held on March 9, 1929
On March 9, 1929 – just one day after International Women’s Day – the first all-women’s air race was held. The event, also known as the “Powder Puff Derby,” was organized by women pilots who wanted to prove that women could excel in aviation.

5. New Mexico Was the First State to Elect Women to All Major Offices in 2016
On November 8, 2016, New Mexico became the first state to elect women to all major statewide offices, including a female governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and treasurer.