Globe Magazine 3 3 | Page 12

International Women’s Day “IWD” is celebrated in order to focus the achievements and contributions, rights, equality of the

women in the society.

Did you know that the celebration of motherhood dates back to the

ancient Greeks? Rhea, the mother of all Greek goddesses, was honored

annually at a springtime feast.

In ancient Rome, a raucous spring festival was held in honor of the Roman mother goddess, Cybele.

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.

Did you know that the first official celebration of mothers in the

United States took place in 1858? Anna Reeves Jarvis campaigned

for a Mothers' Work Day in her home state of West Virginia to

raise awareness about local sanitation issues. When Jarvis passed

away in 1905, her daughter Anna pursued a national mother's day

in honor of her own activist mom. Anna's efforts paid off when in

1914, Mother's Day was recognized as a national holiday by Presidential proclamation.

Organizations use this day to educate and bring awareness to the plight of women around the world; whether they be economic, human rights related, or political in nature.

What started as a Socialist party initiative is now a recognized holiday, support by the United Nations. The Socialist Party of America designated February 28, 1909 as National Women's Day.It was celebrated on this day until 1913 when it was moved to March 8th globally.

“Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity.”

--- Did you know that stepmoms in America have their own special

holiday on May 1st?

Of course, you are welcome to honor your stepmom on Mother's Day, too!

--- Did you know that every September, Americans honor military mothers

who have lost a son or daughter during active duty? Known as Gold Star

Mother's Day, the holiday has

been set by Presidential proclamation since 1936 for the last Sunday in

September. Gold Star Mothers is the name of a bereavement support group

started by Grace Darling Seibold,

whose son was killed in combat over France during World War I.