Our very own Wellbeing Consultant, Jennifer York, MSN, RN shares her insights about how the colors purple, green, and white came to symbolize the women’s movement.

Each March in the U.S. and elsewhere, we honor the role women have played in society with Women’s History Month.

Jennifer York, MS, RN, a doctoral candidate who heads the wellness design division at design firm Stephanie Parisi Studio, tells TODAY.com that the colors were adopted for the first celebration in 1978, then became a nationwide symbol in the years to follow.

Historically, white was included as part of Women’s History Month’s palette because it represents purity and equality. “Since the movement’s origins, the color white has been used in association with equality and was used by women’s rights activists,” York says. “As an example, in 1978 to support the Equal Rights amendment, 200,000 women dressed in white marched on Washington D.C. wearing white with sashes in purple and green.”

White is said to calm and comfort us, as well as have an uplifting effect, shares York. “Throughout history, including the women’s movement, white has been worn during important rituals. This color leaves our minds open to possibility and serves to uplift our thoughts and mood.

Check the entire article by Perri Ormont Blumberg on TODAY.com