International Women's Day 2023: "Empower Women, Empower Humanity: Picture it!"
Today we celebrate the achievements of women and recognize their contributions to society.
International Women's Day, also known as IWD for short, grew out of the labor movement to become a recognized annual event by the United Nations..
The seeds of it were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman's Day.
The idea to make the day international came from a woman called Clara Zetkin, communist activist and advocate for women's rights. She suggested the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 100 women there, from 17 countries, and they agreed on her suggestion unanimously.
Things were made official in 1975 when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The first theme adopted by the UN (in 1996) was "Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future".
International Women's Day is a national holiday in many countries For example, in Italy,
International Women's Day, or la Festa Della Donna, is celebrated by the giving of mimosa blossoms. The origin of this tradition is unclear but it is believed to have started in Rome after World War Two.
In the US, the month of March is Women's History Month. A presidential proclamation issued every year honors the achievements of American women.
Celebrate International Women's Day
Join a Board
Join a local-focused charity or a cycling advocacy group that needs more women members.
Give a Compliment to an Overlooked Woman.
With a personal note or email message.
Donate
Research local nonprofits and organizations near you that would be in need of your time, or items such as clothing, toys, school supplies and hygiene items. A great place to start is the United Way website. Other organizations to research include the National Organization for Women, The Malala Fund, Girls Who Code, She Should Run, Women Empowerment Fund, and Global Rights for Women, among many others.
Thank a Woman or Women who've Inspired You!
Today is the perfect time to show your gratitude toward a woman who inspires you. Send your mom or grandma a bouquet and thank them for everything they've taught you. Surprise your best friend with a thoughtful letter. Reach out to a female leader in your community and thank them for their work.
List of Famous Women who have Made an Impact on Society
Marie Curie - physicist and chemist who discovered radium and polonium, and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Supreme Court Justice who fought for gender equality and women's rights.
Florence Nightingale - founder of modern nursing, and a pioneer in public health.
Frida Kahlo - artist and feminist icon known for her powerful self-portraits.
Mother Teresa - Catholic nun and missionary who dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick.
Ada Lovelace - mathematician and computer programmer who wrote the world's first algorithm.
Oprah Winfrey - media mogul and philanthropist who has used her platform to empower women and promote social justice.
Wangari Maathai - environmentalist and activist who founded the Green Belt Movement, and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Maya Angelou - poet and civil rights activist who wrote about race, gender, and identity, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.
"Each time a woman stands up for herself she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou
Written and Submitted by GSS Agent#3013
Works Cited:
Good Housekeeping.com
BBC.com
Britannica.com
