International Women’s Day 2014: Inspiring Change
I met recently with a group of women in South Australia who are inspiring change. Pictured with members of Cancer Voices SA.
Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme, encouraging advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way.
The history of this day goes back to 1910 when an International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day – a Women’s Day – to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin’s suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women’s Day was the result. Success of the first International Women’s Day in 1911 exceeded all expectation. In 1913 International Women’s Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women’s Day ever since.
So here’s to you, the many. many wonderful women, I know who are disruptors, challenging the status quo – inspiring change. You continue to motivate and inspire me every day.
Long may you continue to do so.
What a lovely picture, and what a nice way to celebrate IWD with this post. You inspire me Marie!
LikeLike
If anyone is looking for International Women’s Day events this site has over 1200 listed http://www.internationalwomensday.com/events.asp#.Uxq-4fmwYn5.
For American women abroad, the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas has their Join Me on a Bridge on March 8 http://www.fawco.org/global-issues/human-rights/peace-and-security/2905-join-me-on-the-bridge-on-march-8 (I see one in Paris near the Pont de L’Alma 🙂
LikeLike
Victoria, thank you so much for sharing this information .. if i was in Paris, I would join you 🙂 I guess I will just have to be with you in spirit.
LikeLike
Pingback: Happy International Women’s Day today! | Dear Kitty. Some blog
Reblogged this on To Be Continued… Christine and commented:
Perhaps too many of us are unaware of the day…I know I was. A little reminder as we support one another on our journeys to celebrate our “sisters…”
LikeLike
Here, here! Love the history and your encouragement 🙂 ~Catherine
LikeLike
thank you, Marie, for telling us the history of IWD. love the photo, love the theme for this year’s celebration. have been picturing in my mind each and every woman whom I love and am treasuring they have been a part of my life, inspiring change. it’s a beautiful view…some are gone and others remain…I hold them all, including you, close to my heart.
Karen xoxo
LikeLike
I love the picture, and love the idea of celebrating this advocacy. We need to remember these milestones.
LikeLike
i commend your ongoing effort in encouraging women world wide. i appreciate you all. thanks mr. henry michael philadelphia orphans empowerment scheme romi kaduna nigeria.
LikeLike