International Women’s Day 2010
March 5, 2010
Women as Agents of Recovery
MARCH 8
On International Women’s Day, women around the world join to celebrate the intelligence, strength, courage, and beauty of women. This is a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world without regard to their national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political differences. To honor this day, events take place around the world ranging from quiet and reflective meetings to loud and festive celebrations. This year – maybe more than ever – the women we serve are in dire circumstances. Women in Sudan, Nigeria and other countries where we work are reporting about the rise in food prices. Staples like rice and beans have doubled in about a year – leaving families hungry and wondering where their next meal will come from.
In 1975, during International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women’s Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. For the United Nations, International Women’s Day has been observed on 8 March since 1975. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary-General.
Also on this day in history, on March 8 the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire happened in New York City in 1911 when 146 garment workers lost their lives, all of them women. Most women could not escape the burning building because the managers would lock the doors to the stairwells and exits to keep the workers from taking cigarette breaks outdoors during their shifts. Women jumped from the ninth and tenth stories as the ladders on the fire trucks could not reach these. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, which fought for better and safer working conditions for sweatshop workers in that industry. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was located inside the Asch Building, now known as the Brown Building of Science. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and a New York City landmark.
On International Women’s Day, let us remind ourselves that the struggle is not over. We must continue to lobby, campaign and educate ourselves and others about obtaining meaningful equity both here and abroad.
Visit your community evenst calendar to find the IWD event for you!
