Celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2007!

On March 8, International Women's Day is celebrated all over the world in countries like the United States, Australia, Armenia, Russia, Bulgaria and Vietnam. International Women's Day has been celebrated, in many forms, since the 1900's. International Women's Day began as a political event meant to shed light on women's working conditions and low wages but eventually turned into a day meant to celebrate women and everything they have done to make our world better. Today, International Women's Day is celebrated through events like business conferences, fashion parades, government activities, political rallies, networking events, women's craft markets and theatrical performances.

The History of International Women's Day

The first National Women's Day observed in the United States of America was on February 28, 1909. In 1910, a Women's Day was established by the Socialist International, in Copenhagen, to honor the women's right movement. International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in the form of rallies that demanded women's rights to vote, hold public office, to work, to vocational training and to end workplace discrimination.

In 1913 thru 1914, International Women's Day became a way to protest World War I. Russian women observed their first International Women's Day as a part of a peace movement. On the last Sunday in February of 1917, Russian women did a protest and strike for "Bread and Peace" in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers. Amazingly, just four days later, Czar Nicholas abdicated and the provisional Government granted Russian women the right to vote!

In 1975, the United Nations began sponsoring International Women's Day. In 1977, the United Nations "adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions" (UN IWD Website, 2007).

The official colors of International Women's Day are purple, green, white and gold. Purple stands for dignity, justice, self-reverence, self-respect while also representing the women's vote. Green stands for hope and new life. White stands for purity in public and private life. Gold stands for a new dawn and represents the second wave of feminism.

United Nations 2007 Theme

The United Nation's theme for International Women's Day 2007 is Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls. Despite the many leaps and bounds that many countries have made in stopping violence against women and girls, it still exists. The evidence, worldwide, is chilling and not to be ignored or forgotten. This year, the United Nation's theme for International Women's Day is based on ending this violence.

"A panel discussion on this topic will mark the United Nations official observance of International Women's Day on 8 March 2007. The panel will examine good practices and examples of specific solutions to eliminate violence and end impunity from the global to the local levels. The panel discussion will illustrate various dimensions of the problem from perspectives of parliamentarians, law enforcement officials, civil society and the media." (UN IWD Website, 2007)

Governments that Support International Women's Day

Governments that consistently supported International Women's Day are the Australian Government; Australian Capital Territory Government, Australia; Government of Alberta, Canada; Government of Ontario, Canada; Government of Saskatchewan, Canada; New South Wales Government, Australia; New Zealand Government; Queensland Government, Australia; United States Government and the Welsh Assembly Government, UK.

International Women's Day Events in the United States

These are just a couple examples of International Women's Day events that will be celebrated all over the world and not just in the United States of America. Be sure to visit the resource links to find out about events near you.

Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Women's Network

Women Up 2007 Stand Together - Shape the Future

Keynote speakers are Sally Helgesen and Jovita Moore. To be held at the Atlanta History Center, McElreath Hall, Atlanta, GA. (http://www.atlantawomensnetwork.org/)

Seattle, WA - Centro Cultural Hispano Americano

Celebrate International Women's Day with Latin American Writers!

Authors will be Kathleen Alcalá, Carolyn Wright, Eugenia Toledo-Keyser, Cynthia Steele, and María Nélida Mendoza. To be held at the University of Washington, Communications (CMU) 120, Seattle, WA. (http://www.centroculturalha.org/)

New York, NY - World Vision

Save a Sister

This is a Global Dinner honoring the Dominican Republic's grand traditions, music, and history. This International Women's Day, join us as we celebrate New York's very own Sister City - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Learn more about being a sister to a child in need by helping vulnerable girls and children in the Dominican Republic through child sponsorship. Event is free. Space is full but there is a waiting list you can be added to, in case someone cancels. To be held at a cozy SoHo loft at 81 Greene Street, New York, NY (cross streets: Spring and Broome). (http://www.worldvision.org/get_involved.nsf/child/newyork_saveasister)

New York, NY - United Nations Headquarters

International Women's Day - Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls

Opening speakers include Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, President of the General Assembly H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, and President of the Security Council H.E. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo. Panelists will include Ms. Carla Del Ponte, Ms. Raghida Dergham, Rev. Jacques A. De Graff and Mr. Todd Minerson. The Moderator will be Mr. Shashi Tharoor. This event will be located at 760 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 in Conference Room 2 at the UN Headquarters. The time of the event is 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon. The conference room will have open seating and attendees are kindly asked to be seated by 9:50 a.m. (http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2007/)

Conclusion

International Women's Day is just one day in the year to celebrate the women in your life and the women in your history. We are also given an opportunity to celebrate women's contributions to our history throughout the entire month of March. If that isn't enough time for you, you can celebrate the women in your life any and every day! Be sure to check around for events in your area and take this opportunity to learn more about Women's History. Knowing more about Women's History is very important to our world, to our society and to our children.

Resources

International Women's Day (http://www.internationalwomensday.com/)
United Nation's International Women's Day 2007 (http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2007/)
Wikipedia - Answers.com - International Women's Day (http://www.answers.com/topic/international-women-s-day)
Wikipedia - Answers.com - Russian Revolution of 1917 (http://www.answers.com/topic/russian-revolution-of-1917)