International Women’s Day
I was about 9 when I first heard of International Women’s Day. Back then, I didn’t think too much about it. I knew
I liked the colours in their logo, and that was all the thought I gave it.
As I got to high school, I don’t remember it being discussed in class or given any recognition.
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When I hit the workforce however, it was
always a significant date in my calendar.
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Usually because I was attending a networking event, or because I was organising some sort of luncheon to
celebrate the day.
For over 20 years, International Women’s Day has been a part of my working life, and yet I know nothing of its
origins. And I realise, I’m probably not alone. We all post celebratory memes on the day – empowering the women
in our lives to be strong and be heard. But how many of us know the background of this day that celebrates us
being women?
So, this year, I decided it was time to end my ignorance and perhaps yours too. So, here’s your cheat sheet for
International Women’s Day. The Top Ten facts you need to know, so you’re ready for next year’s event.
1. International Women’s Day (IWD) isn’t specific
No one country, group or organisation can lay claim to IWD. It belongs to
all women, all over the world who want to celebrate the ‘social, economic,
cultural and political achievements of women’.
2. It dates back to 1908
On 8 March 1908, 15,000 women took to the streets of New York
to demand better pay, better treatment, voting rights and the end
to child labour. Following the march, the Socialist Party of America
declared that the last Sunday in February would be National
Women’s Day. The first was held on 25 February 1909.
3. It wasn’t just a New York thing
Across the pond, in 1910, over 100 women from 17 countries met in
Copenhagen for the second international Conference of Working Women.
Clara Zetkin from Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day
to push for greater change and universal suffrage. It passed with unanimous
approval.
4. It didn’t always have the same date
It wasn’t until 1975 – International Women’s Year – that March 8 was recognised as IWD by the United Nations.
Previous to this marches, rallies and protests were usually held in the last week February through to mid-March to
commemorate the day.
5. Each year the UN adopts a theme for IWD
This tradition began in 1996 – the theme was “Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future”. This year’s theme is
“#Press for Progress” to continue the push for gender parity.
6. The colours for IWD are symbolic
The original colours for IWD were purple, green and white. These were the colours of the Women’s Social and
Political Union in the UK. The purple represented justice and dignity. The green represented hope and the white
was all about purity. These days, the white is being replaced by yellow as a symbol of a ‘new dawn’.
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