Today is International Women’s Day
Did you know that today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. I just recently learned how this special day came about and, through that learning, wholeheartedly embrace everything it stands for. I’d like to share what I’ve learned with you and invite you to embrace its meaning also.
What is International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It started in the United States in 1909, in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, and was celebrated for the first time on February 28th. Later in 1910, Clara Zetkin, who was the Leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, proposed a NATIONAL Women’s Day (which was adopted) and the observance was moved from February to March 8 in 1913. It quickly was embraced by the women’s community worldwide and, subsequently, adopted as International Women’s Day.
What it Has Become Today
It has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across countries and is regarded as a national holiday in many. However the work of those before us is not completed. Although great strides have been made for women’s equality, many more are still necessary and the tone of this movement continues to evolve. The tone and nature of the current International Women’s Day has also shifted to keep up with the times; it has moved from a reminder of negatives to a celebration of positives for women worldwide.
We Honor Those who Came Before Us
As an honor and tribute to the women who have come before us to make the world a better place and what it is today, I invite you to join me in thanking our inspirational leaders who came before us. Those leaders who were trailblazers, cleared the path and empowered us to become the new leaders of today. They have opened the door for us to be who we are, starting in:
1840: where more men than women graduated from
Harvard Medical School;
TODAY, there are more women than men in
several graduating classes.
1850: where half the working women in the UK were
domestic servants and men held the most of high
status jobs;
TODAY, there are more female lawyers,
doctors & architects in the UK than male.
1914: when Madame CJ Walker became the 1st female
self-made millionaire;
TODAY, there are 14 female self-made
BILLIONAIRES with 7 residing in China.
1960: when Serimavo Bandaranaike (of Sri Lanka)
became the world’s 1st female elected head of state;
TODAY, there are 29 female world
leaders in power.
1972: when men owned 96% of the biz in the US;
TODAY, 1 in 3 business owners are women.
1990: when 32% of women were active in the workforce
in Latin America & the Caribbean;
TODAY, 53% of women are part of their workforce.
LET US SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE
BLAZED THE TRAIL BEFORE US.
I challenge you to think about what will you do to contribute to the next generation of women trailblazers; what path will you clear to pave the way and who will you inspire to follow in your footsteps?
Join with us in celebrating each other’s achievements: TELL US what ideas you have to make the world a better place for women of the future and and how you will inspire others to become the powerful women leaders of tomorrow as did our foremothers? WRITE US a COMMENT below.
Don’t just be one, join with the many women who are making a difference for the next generation. Set the tone for the future of the women of our world and inspire others to blaze a new trail like those before us.
Click Here to read more about International Women’s Day’s history.
Very inspirational and informative post. And good food for thought for the future. I hope that through my work as an author and photojournalist working for the health and well-being of animals, specifically the breed of Siberian Huskies, I hope to help educate folks on both the breed and also on a cause that is hits home, Canine Epilepsy. Through my books, photographs, blog posts, and “Live Gib Strong” K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign, I hope to educate and empower future generations of pet owners, both female and male, to know there are always options and dogs can and do live full lives with seizure disorders. Hopefully, part of my trail blazing will be to help others think before euthanizing a dog simply because it may have a seizure disorder. With lots of love and some special care, the love you will get back from these animals is ten-fold. And there is no price you can put on that.
Thank you Dorothy for your wonderful comments. You ARE a trailblazer breaking new ground spreading the word about Canine Epilepsy! And what a great message you send to pet owners; they CAN save their pet with a little bit extra love and a whole lot of tender loving care. Thank you for empowering pet owners with all of the great work you do. Most importantly, thank you for stepping into the shoes of those who came before us to inspire women of our future.
Also, I hope through my works of helping to educate others on the breed of Siberian Husky, people will become more informed about the breed prior to bringing one into their home, only to surrender at a later date because they can not accept it’s habits or needs. Being an informed pet parent means the pet will have a better chance at a good life. And hopefully, through education, we can help reduce the current epidemic of overcrowded shelters with Huskies.