March is Women’s International Month

Happy International Women’s Day (celebrated March 8th)! This important day is a timely reminder of the continued struggle for gender equality and the need to empower women in every sphere of life. The day is a reflection of the courage and strength of women who have made history and continue to inspire generations to come. This day celebrates a phenomenal mother, an incredible wife, a resilient individual, and a remarkable daughter.

This is the day that we remember to mention and honor the iconic women who have become immortalized in our country’s history. We acknowledge the progress made since the original commemoration in 1909, as a lot still needs to be accomplished as the world revolves around us.

On the 28th of February, 1909, the women socialists of the U.S.A. organized huge demonstrations and meetings all over the country demanding political rights for working women. This was the first “Woman’s Day”. The initiative of organizing a woman’s day thus belongs to the working women of America.”

But the origins of IWD can be traced back to Clara Zetkin, a prominent German socialist. According to BCC, Zetkin proposed the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark

Throughout ancient and modern history, women have collaborated and lead purposeful action to redress inequality in the hope of a better future for their communities, children and themselves. Whether through bold well-documented action or through humble resistance that never made it into the history books, women have united for equality and achievement forever.

And along the way, one particularly powerful collaboration lead to the formation of a globally united moment for women across countries to come together in hope and action. That moment is “International Women’s Day”.

From its start, the almighty and tenacious Suffragettes forged purposeful action for equality. It was the Suffragettes who started International Women’s Day, and still to this day, International Women’s Day continues to be a powerful platform globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity, while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.

Values that guide International Women’s Day provide direction for the type of action, behaviour and ethos associated with this critical and globally-supported day.

Ten values that guide International Women’s Day are: Justice, Dignity, Hope, Equality, Collaboration, Tenacity, Appreciation, Respect, Empathy, and Forgiveness.

As modern-day Suffragettes – female, male and all genders – let us continue the work and spirit of the almighty Suffragettes, fighting the good fight. And let us recognize, honor and celebrate the important and impressive achievements of women globally.

-By Anonymous Editorialist