• “Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
•  Circa 1945: Headshot of Eleanor Roosevelt (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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On March 8th each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world. International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.  IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. 

History 

Susan B. Anthony was a political activist and an advocate of women’s rights.  After the Civil War, she fought for the 14th Amendment.  In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to continue the fight for women’s rights.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony 

In the early 1900’s, women were experiencing pay inequality, a lack of voting rights, and they were being overworked.  In response to all of this, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 to demand their rights.  In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed.

In August, 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German suffragist and leader in the Women’s Office, proposed a special Women’s Day to be organized annually.  International Women’s Day was honored the following year in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million attending the rallies. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, and white women were granted the right to vote in the United States.  The liberation movement took place in the 1960s and the effort led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, allowing ALL women the right to vote.

Clara Zetkin (Portrait photographique, 1912)

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day each year on March 8th, as we push continuously with the hope of creating a completely gender-equal society. 

The Mission of International Women’s Day

IWD sees several missions to help forge a gender-equal world:

• Celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality  
• Celebrate the women forging change
• Elevate visibility of women creatives
• Build workplaces where women thrive
• Improve equality for women in tech
• Applaud equality for women in sports 

2024’s Theme

Each year, IWD carries a different theme.  Its website has designated this year’s theme: “Inspire Inclusion“.  The goal of the campaign is to “inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion” so that “we forge a better world”.  “When women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment”, the site added. “Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women.”

Organizations and groups can inspire inclusion  through actions such as: 

• forging women’s economic empowerment
• recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent
• supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
• designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
• helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
• involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
• providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
• elevating women and girl’s participation and achievement in sport
• promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls
• addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls

Celebrate International Women’s Day!

Some ways that women can be celebrated on this special day are:

• Honor inspirational women
• Support women-owned businesses
• Meet up with women in your network
• Donate to charity
• Challenge inequality and show your support
• Include all genders
• Acknowledge the amazing women in your life
• Do something special with or for a special woman in your life – Mom, wife, daughter, co-worker, employee…let them know how important they are on this special day!

Click HERE to learn more about IWD.

Let Fellowship Fleet Limousine and Bus Company provide special transportation services on International Women’s Day or for any other event!   Click HERE to make a reservation.