Today all over the world, women will be celebrating International Women’s Day. It is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women’s Day on February 28, 1909 in New York, the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference suggested a Women’s Day be held annually.
But what happens now? The Theme for this year? “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality“
But HOW do we bring forward gender equality and what does that even mean?
Women in film. Wearing Nager By Nic Hyl.
Women’s Day History
After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.
From there, it began to be more widely celebrated in the US and in other European countries. It’s important to note that while International Women’s day aims to bring attention to the disparity in women with men, it does nothing to address the disparity within the gender as it relates to race. BIPOC, still earn less than their white female counterparts.
What Are Some Ways To Celebrate IWD?
Because the aim of the day is to celebrate the advancements that women have made in history and to continue to push for equal rights of ALL women as it relates to pay, job roles and importance in society, it makes sense to celebrate in ways that encourage all of those things.
Perhaps patronizing female owned businesses, or ensuring that your female employees are receiving the same treatment in the workplace as their male counter parts are some great places to start. But also, reading a book by a female author or watching a movie by a female director.
Attending a women’s networking event is another great way to celebrate. I have 2 different events that I will be going to. One for Refinery29 and one with The Tory Burch Foundation.
Don’t forget to honor the women in your life! Tell her you appreciate all that she does for you daily. Sometimes just hearing it is nice 🙂
Women owned small businesses to support:
Nager By Nic Hyl -makes beautiful luxury swimwear and is working on plus size, bra sized, and burkinis to be released by summer 2019.
Yummies By Kai Sage-DELICIOUS gluten free backed goods.
Courage Fitness Club Amazing personal training and fitness boutique style gym. If you want results, this is the place to look for them.
Jet Set Times Packed with content on all things travel. This wonderful on line magazine is the jet-setter’s best friend.
Why Do Women Want Equality?
This is a loaded question and the answer will largely depend on whom you ask. It will also depend on how that individual defines equality; life has taught me that means different things to different people.
When I think of “why do women want equality”, I’m not saying I want to be a man, or want to take a man’s “role”. Just the opposite. I want to be treated equal. I want the same pay for the same work-that’s by and by my largest issue. If this was during the women’s suffrage, I would also want the right to vote.
Equality may mean treatment or sentiments that individuals and organizations apply to women. I work in a predominately female dominated industry, so I don’t notice this as much as I would if I worked in a male dominated industry. But I do know that some women feel isolated or that they are being treated less than in some industries. Equality, would mean treating her in an equal manner to her male counterparts and not differently because she is female. Particularly if that treatments leads to her not being considered for promotions, raises, or other work privileges that her male counterparts would get.
Are Women Really Treated Differently?
This is another one of those “it depends who you ask” questions. I’m a woman of color. I cannot separate my race from my gender. I am incapable of experiencing the world only as a woman or only as a person of color. So I don’t know.
But I do know that some people won’t like me because of my race and some people won’t like me because of my gender. That can be difficult at times, but I don’t allow that to hold me back and I deal with it as best I can. I also live in New York City, am highly educated, well traveled and for all intents and purposes live a good life. I also live in a country that allows for me to have certain rights and privileges. But I understand that I am not the rule.
Some women living in certain countries cannot choose who they marry; but their brother can. Some women in some countries cannot work in certain professions; but their brothers can. Some women in some countries cannot vote or drive, or travel freely on their own; but their brothers can. Some women in the world are regarded as property and cannot have independent thought outside of their fathers, brothers or husbands.
This day is with those woman in mind. To help her cause and hopefully allow for her to one day have the treatment and rights that her male siblings would have, allowing her to be her own individual and not the extension of her closest male relative. International Women’s Day is not to compete with men or take the place of a man, but rather to have certain human rights that a man would have. It’s easy to forget that when we live in a country that doesn’t impose those types of laws on their female citizens.
What are some ways that you’ll celebrate IWD? Comment below or continue the conversation on the gram @tiesidesandscoops
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