March 8 is International Women's Day
International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft
markets, theatric performances, fashion parades
and more.
Google is marking the day by highlighting this logo on its search page.
One of the events for the day around the world is Join Me On The Bridge which started in 2010 when women from the war-torn countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo gathered on a bridge that connected their countries, demonstrating they could build bridges of peace and hope for the future.
Gender Across Borders and CARE are sponsoring the Third Annual Blog for International Women's Day.
This year’s theme is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures” and we are asking bloggers to address one or both of the following points:
How can we, as a culture and as members of the global community, involve, educate, and inspire girls in a positive way?
Describe a particular organization, person, group or moment in history that helped to inspire a positive future and impact the minds and aspirations for girls.
A little soundtrack for the diary: Joan Baez sings "Bread and Roses" ...
Some of the ways the event is being celebrated around the world:
- Italy: the gift of bright yellow mimosa flowers
- Russia: the gifts of yellow mimosas and chocolates
- China: female teachers are given flowers and female factory workers get half a day off, when they gather to play games
- Cameroon: a special fabric is designed each year, which is used to make outfits for the day's parades and festivities
- Romania: also mother's Day, gifts of flowers, chocolate, and gifts
- Latin America: the gift of red roses, reminiscent of the song "Bread and Roses"
- Armenia: an entire month is dedicated, beginning on Mar 8 and ending Apr 7, Armenia's Motherhood and Beauty Day
The day is also an official holiday in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
I encourage all who read this to take their shot at writing a diary here on DKos that elaborates on the theme of “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”. Maybe we can make that line a part of the titles and try to have one every hour. I'm not an organizer, I'm just throwing out an idea.
I agree that the goal of attacking Rush Limbaugh, Darryl Issa, Bob McDonnell, Roy Blunt, et. al. is an important thing to do and is part of what makes this community great. However, maybe we can also take a turn at writing positive, inspring diaries.
I think that this community can be a strong and positive force to inspire a positive future and impact the minds and aspirations for girls. This place is full of strong women and men who stand with them on issues of women's rights and equality for all.
I realize that this diary may not reach the level of what the sponsors of Blog for International Women's Day had in mind but I'm just trying to get the ball rolling.
A few organizations that work to make a better future for women:
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- National Organization for Women
- Global Fund for Women
- MADRE
- Amnesty International
- Equality Now
There are, of course, many more organizations that are doing great work in this area. This is but a short list.
So, I hope that I am the first, but not the last, to wish you a happy International Women's Day!
LIST OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY DIARIES (Updated as often as possible):
Int'l Women's Day, Support Women by...
Egyptian Women Mark International Women’s Day With Demands for Parliament
Women's History - A Woman's Place
Saint Joan - a Real Woman in Real Pants
This Is War
GFHC Special (Women's Family History Month): Emmeline
Notes from the North: Women ARE persons