International Women’s Day
By Chloe Cochran
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity
For many different reasons, March 8 is an important date to have marked down in your calendar. March 8 is a day to celebrate the opportunity for more, it’s a date to celebrate change, and most importantly, equality. Everyday we should be celebrating the ideology of equality… Specifically for women.
History of International Women’s Day/History Month
The first International Women’s Day was established in 1909 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of women factory workers striking due to poor working conditions. Due to this strike, and the fatalities of 145 women workers, legislation was finally passed to protect factory workers.
78 years later in 1987, Women’s History Month was made official after activists successfully convinced Congress to stretch Women’s History Week into a month.
Each year, Women’s History Month has a theme. This year’s theme is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.
What’s the purpose of International Women’s Day?
Women’s History Month (and International Women’s Day) is an event worth celebrating. It remains important not only to celebrate what’s already been accomplished, but to continually fight for what hasn’t been. The way towards equality is through recognition and change. It’s essential to acknowledge the women who provided the steps for current activists to walk upon. Through their stepping stones, women today can continually walk forward to create a lasting stance for equality. Below are several (but certainly not all) women who have helped pave the way for future generations.
Claudette Colvin
Before Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white individual. After her arrest for refusing to move, Colvin joined four other plaintiffs in Browder vs. Gayle to rule the Montgomery segregated bus system as unconstitutional.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was a British feminist who became a professional writer to share notice of the inequality between men and women. In her book, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Wollstonecraft argues the need for co-education and equal parental roles.
Susan B. Anthony
Susan Brownell Anthony was a big part in the women’s suffrage movement. Co-founding the American Equal Rights Association, Anthony spent her life traveling and publically speaking for women’s suffrage. Advocating for women’s rights to vote, Anthony was arrested and fined. Her arrest brought national attention to her movement, encouraging more individuals to take a stance for women’s suffrage.
Deidra Dryden
Deidra Dryden, Athletic Director at Southern Virginia University, is more than the head of athletics. Dryden has only positively impacted Southern Virginia athletics, being the Associate Athletics Director, Senior Woman Athletics Administrator, and head women’s tennis coach for ten years. Dryden was a helping hand in recruiting several of the university’s women’s teams: basketball, volleyball, and soccer. As a female athletic director, Dryden has broken many gender barriers, showing women (specifically in athletics) that anything is possible.
Is there still inequality?
While there is continual growth to create equality for women, there are still ways that women aren’t being properly represented.
- For every dollar a man makes, a woman (on average) makes 82 cents.
- Women are restricted from working in certain jobs/industries in almost 50% of countries*
- In transit to a new destination, 53% of migrant women report experiencing or witnessing violence, compared to 19% of men*
- Women chair only 18% of government committees on foreign affairs, defense, finance and human rights.
Statistics courtesy of https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/10/feature-what-does-gender-equality-look-like-today
How can we support women past March?
While March is designated to women’s history, and the eighth is honored to celebrate women everywhere, women deserve recognition every day of the year.
The shoulders of women are heavy with the weight of creating equal opportunities for themselves. Disregard your gender, ethnicity, and religion and show your support to the women in your life. By making yourself aware of the adversity that women face, you’re allowing yourself to be freed of the social construct that women are less equal.
