International Women’s Day
March 9, 2018
International Women’s Day has arrived for the 109th time again, yesterday on March 8th. This year’s events and celebrations were seen in schools and all across social media. Here on the Eleanor Roosevelt campus, our library held different activities in celebration of the day. During both lunches, students had the opportunity to make buttons, color feminist pages featuring leading female figures throughout history and interact with a “Her Story Display.” All across campus, an array of students wore red and purple in solidarity and support for International Women’s Day.
I spoke with Senior Sydney Thompson who indulged in the activities in the library, “I thought all of the activities and decorations in celebration for International Women’s Day were so nice.” She then shares her support in the movement women have created for a better environment for everyone in society, “I’m excited for change and just hopeful that things will evolve into a safer environment for women.”
The first International Women’s Day began in 1909 in the U.S. on February 28th in honor of the strike women took the previous year against the working conditions in New York. The date would then be moved to March 8 for the next 2 years in protest and solidarity for women’s suffrage. Then in 1913 the date would permanently be on March 8th. In 1917 Russian women went on strike in protest for “Bread and Peace” during World War One on the last Sunday of February. Four days later women in Russia would be granted the right to vote.
In 1975 and so on, Women’s International Day would advance and advocate for equality in all aspects economically and socially. Today there has especially been a wave in advocacy for women’s rights and fair treatment in and outside the workforce. With recent events and movements, The Women’s March, the #METOO movement and TIMESUP have all helped grow and shape the fight for equality for everyone across the world.
