The Importance of International Women's Day

Celebrated on March 8, International Women’s Day is an annual celebration that recognized the accomplishments of women, while also highlighting the many obstacles they face to achieve equality with men. The origins of this event trace back to 1908, and in 1911, the very first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

This special celebration was born out of a need for equal access to jobs and education (something we can strongly identify with). In 1970, the “Strike for Equality” march took place in New York City and consisted of 100,000+ women (and some men) who took part demanding equality.

Ten years later, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress officially declared March as Women’s History Month and March 8 was designated as the cornerstone.

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first native American families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” – President Jimmy Carter, 1980