Monday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. It is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Begun in 1911 it was a day for women to press for their demands. Since then the celebration has taken hold and has grown into a global day of recognition in developed and developing countries all over the world. It is an official holiday in places like China, Armenia, Russia and Vietnam. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women’s rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. In this new decade it is time for Generation Jones women to step up and inspire younger generations to continue the strides made by the women who represented us in the feminist era of our youth the 1970’s.
Annually on March 8th, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of womens visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life women have gained a great deal of equality. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. There is still more that can be done to insure that women are paid equally to their male counterparts, that more women are present in business, and politics. Globally women’s health, education and welfare are tested daily so we need not forget what still must be overcome.
Celebrate the day with your girlfriends, seek out and participate in one of the many diverse activities that will connect women on this day. Make an effort to become involved in women’s networking groups in your local community and broadly in your on-line community on a regular basis. We are all here to support, inspire and promote each other.
