Inspire Inclusion: Celebrating International Women’s Day

  March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a day when women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements are acknowledged and celebrated. Women have come a long way from times when they had little to no rights. Nowadays, thanks to all their hard work on the way to achieve this, women are equal to men. Of course, their contribution to our society was not left unnoticed. International Women’s Day became a global holiday, later proclaimed an official United Nations holiday. 

  The origins of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century when women workers in the United States and Europe organized annual national women’s days. “The first National Woman’s Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honor of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions,” the United Nations stated on their website. Over 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding better pay, shorter working hours, and the right to vote. Then, in 1910, at a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Socialist International established a Women’s Day to support the women’s rights movement and help them achieve the goal of women’s suffrage.

  Only one question arises. Why March 8th? Since 1914, March 8 has been the fixed date for International Women’s Day. According to USA Today, “It was moved to be in line with Russian women who celebrated the day on February 23 on the Gregorian calendar.”

  Over the following decades, the International Women’s Day movement expanded to include women worldwide, and the day became a symbol of the struggle for equal rights and gender equality. In 1975, the United Nations declared March 8 as International Women’s Day, further recognizing the significance of this day globally. Though, some countries do not actively celebrate this day, a lot of countries give a day off to everybody to go and celebrate it with their loved women, mothers, daughters, wives, etc.

  Every year there is a different theme for International Women’s Day. This year, the theme is “Inspire Inclusion,” which means that women in all spheres of work, education, and life in general, are celebrated and supported. Waukee High School Librarian Mrs. O’Connor said, “It is important for women to be included in all the aspects of life. Women should be respected and included in all facets. Our library collection is very diverse and supports women’s contributions.” Waukee High School library is a great place if you wish to learn more about women’s role in our society, especially relating to this year’s theme.