International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about women’s equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to forge gender parity. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive.

International Women’s Day has three main components: Purpose, History, and Focus.

Purpose: To celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about gender inequality and the barriers women still face globally.

History: It emerged from the activities of labor movements in the early 20th century, with the first International Women’s Day celebrated in 1911.

Focus: Highlights social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and also brings attention to issues like gender inequality and violence against women.

Some people ask why is March the 8^th the designated date for International Women’s Day? My homework found the following answer to that question:

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th to commemorate the historic strike of Russian women in 1917, which demanded “bread and peace” and ultimately led to the fall of the Czar and women’s suffrage in Russia. In 1917, Russian women, facing food shortages and the ongoing war, organized a strike on the last Sunday of February (which corresponded to March 8th on the Gregorian calendar). Within days of the strike, the Czar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional government granted women the right to vote.

International Recognition: Vladimir Lenin declared March 8^th as International Women’s Day in 1922 to recognize the women’s role in the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Global Observance: The United Nations began recognizing International Women’s Day in 1975, and it is now celebrated worldwide as a day to acknowledge women’s achievements and call for action to accelerate gender equality.

International Women’s Day now continues to celebrate women’s achievements, to reflect on progress made, to strive for more regarding gender equality, and to continue breaking down barriers.    

Quotes:

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“There is no limit to what we, as women can accomplish” – Michelle Obama

“ The battle for the individual rights of women is one of long standing and none of us should countenance anything that undermines it” – Eleanor Roosevelt

As a Union we stand together in Solidarity, as people we must stand together in Solidarity.  

Solidarity can and will direct & achieve change.