The History of International Women’s Day
Did you know that International Women’s Day is a United Nations-sanctioned global holiday celebrated today on March 8th? The holiday celebrates and inspires women’s contributions to society and raises awareness of gender equality for multigenerational women worldwide.
The United Nations tells this story. In the United States in 1909, the Socialist Party of America took to the streets to honor the garment workers who protested against inhumane working conditions. A few years later in 1911, the Social International established Women’s Day in Copenhagen, followed by Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Over the years more and more countries joined to fight for education, suffrage and worker’s rights. And in 1975 the United Nations declared International Woman’s Day an official holiday. In short, International Women’s Day recognizes women worldwide.
#EachforEqual
The 2020 theme is Each for Equal (#EachforEqual) and it reminds multigenerational women of the world that each has a responsibility to help achieve a gender-balanced world. We are all responsible for our own actions and our own thoughts; to speak out to right a wrong through dialogue and little by little, change the mindsets of those who lack knowledge, and those who fight against the rights of women.
Take your stand, Darlings in a civil manner. As well, the United Nations organization plans to focus on calls to action year-round as a reminder.
We don’t often think about the young girls and women in some parts of the world who are traded, mutilated, abused and lack the right to an education. These are our sisters and they need our support. We can do this by supporting through fund giving or joining non- profit organizations that fight for the rights of all females of all ages. These organizations have a voice and a platform and these organizations can be ‘heard’.
Be Fierce With Principles
What I don’t like to watch and listen to is a marching group of multigenerational women who raise their voices with words lacking civility.
In fact, if you are the mother or grandmother of one of the young marching women, you might explain to them there is a way to ‘ask for what they want’ that will command attention. Marching and screaming for justice is not away to get it. As well, explain to them to ‘ask for what they want’ politely and directly and don’t fear rejection. If you are turned down ask someone else. However, never give up.
It Matters Not Where We Come From
My readers, it matters not that we come from different cultures or pursue different walks of life, we need each other in good and bad times.
It does not matter that we are women who are mothers and women who are not; It does not matter if we are Democrats or Republicans, or career women or retired women and some of us are stay at home moms and grandmothers. Marriage is for many and staying single is best for others.
Many of us are gay and many straight and let us not forget we are multIgenerational. But when it comes to valuing our rights as women… We are one.
I Love Being a Dame
I adore being a woman and I am proud to be a woman. My essence is my womanhood. My signature is WOMAN. So, I don’t appreciate hearing women on television tell the world we are being mistreated. I’m not. Are you?
When a woman wants to get somewhere in her job she has to ask for a raise. She has to ask for what she wants. And, if she has attitude, she will probably get what she wants.
The Big Problems
And, herein lies the problem: How can anyone know what women want when they are infamous for failing to ask for what they want because they are terrified they may meet rejection!
So, my Darlings, how can your boss know what you want when your fear stands in the way of asking? That is not his fault. It is your fault.
And, herein lies the biggest problem for women not getting what they want in other areas of their life… speaking up in general.
Start Speaking Up
My dear readers, women should start speaking up because they sure know how to talk! Women just don’t know how to ask!
International Women’s Day is a day to speak up or give to a charity of your choice that will benefit the young girls in Africa and open the eyes of those who are unjust and unfair to women all over the world.
As GRANDWOMEN we hold the choice in our hands.
Years ago I was in Italy at a spa , each woman was given a nose gay of small yellow flowers on Women’s
Day. It was lovely.
I was 16 the first time I asked for a raise. I worked in an office with about 10 other grown women who all made more than I did, however, a number of them started coming in early every day to get their work done. They ended up with 2.5 hours of overtime each week. I on the other hand did all my work in the regular 40 hours. So they were being rewarded with more money working at a slower pace.
After work one day I stayed behind and spoke to the boss and made my case. He didn’t give me an answer but the following week I had a raise in my paycheck and shortly after there was an and to the overtime. While I was never a true feminist, I did believe in equal pay for equal work at an early age. I worked for some very strong women in my day and learned my independence from my father. He had a 4th grade education and even though he owned his own business, he took a lot of from other people. He wanted to make sure that I was never in that position and taught me to stand up for myself.