Women's History Month

Women's History Month actually began as a one day holiday, which began February 28, 1909, called International Women's Day (IWD). It started out as a political event to celebrate what women had sacrificed and achieved through-out history.

On March 8, 1857 women began to protest for their rights. Wages in that time were not fair and the hours were long and grueling. Because they were women they were not treated with respect. IWD was a way to acknowledge these women and never forget what they had to go through.

For several years protests were held on March 8. This included the march of 15,000 women in 1908 in New York City. Together they demanded fewer hours, more pay and the right to vote.

The idea of an international women's day was suggested by a German Socialist, Clara Zetkin. In 1910, IWD was established and a conference was held by the Socialist International group.

Though the protests of woman began strong in the early 1900's they lost their steam for a few decades and didn't pick back up until the 1960's.

In Russia, the demonstrations of IWD sparked the beginning of the Russian Revolution in 1917. A Boshevik feminist by the name of Alexandra Kollontai was the one to persuade Lenin to make IWD an official holiday in Russia starting in 1965. Later that year IWD was declared a "non-working" holiday. In Russia and in other countries, the first day of spring is recognized as March 1st; because of this, IWD is celebrated as the first holiday in spring.

Today, IWD is still recognized in Armenia, Russia, Belarus Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Macedonia and many other countries. In these countries the holiday is celebrated like another form of Mother's Day, but for all women. The men in their lives would give women gifts and would spend the day showering them with appreciation and love. In countries like Hungary and Poland, even a woman's employer would send gifts.

In Czechoslovakia after the "fall of socialism" in 1989, IWD was not recognized as a holiday anymore and any attempt to celebrate IWD or Mother's Day was mocked and ridiculed.

After the United Nations sanctioned IWD, the year 1975 was declared International Woman's Year. Three years later a school district in California held a Women's History Week. This prompted Congress to pass a resolution declaring Women's History Week a holiday. It wasn't until 1987 that Congress expanded the holiday for the whole month of March.

The popularity of Women's History Week had grown to such an extent, that most people felt one week wasn't enough time to dedicate to women's history.

So, every year the month of March is spent remembering the women who fought for their rights. Because of them, women today are considered equal and no longer suffer from low wages and horrible working conditions. The women of the past gave us the right to vote and take part in the goings on of this country. Who knows what the next phase will be.