International Women's Day, or IWD, is an annual observance celebrated globally on March 8. It's a day of recognition for women's achievements socially, economically, culturally, and politically. This day complements International Women's History Month, which is also observed annually in March to offer a broader time frame to honor women's successes, contributions, and history. You will find many wearing the official color of IWD: Purple. The color is associated with royalty, dignity, creativity, and spirituality, traits associated with women.
Many women and feminist groups had been vocal about their rights and protections, dating back to the late 1770s. Over time and with many influences that contributed to the rise of International Women's Day, beginning in the early 1900s, North America and Europe started highlighting issues such as wage inequalities, women's suffrage, and poor working conditions. In 1908, fifteen thousand women garment workers jumpstarted the movement. They marched the streets of New York City's Lower East Side, demanding voting rights, ending child labor, shorter work hours, and better pay. Motivated by the march's demands, the New York Shirtwaist Strike took place the following year, in 1909. Approximately 20,000 garment workers went on strike, protesting poor working conditions and suffrage. Most participants were young immigrant women.
Inspired by what was happening in North America, German socialist Clara Zetkin demanded an International Women's Day in 1910 during an International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen. Zetkin received support from over 100 women representing 17 countries at the conference. With the movement moving swiftly globally, the first official gatherings for IWD took place throughout Europe on March 19, 1911. A few days later, in New York, on March 25, 1911, one hundred and forty-six women were killed in a factory fire, also known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. This tragedy sparked even more reforms for women's awareness of working conditions. In conclusion, International Women's Day was officially declared on March 8, 1913.
Many countries have declared International Women's Day an official holiday, with some giving women a full or half day off work. The first country to officially make IWD a public holiday was Russia. U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed that March 8 would be "National Women's History Week" in 1980. Several years later, in 1987, Congress officially designated March as its month. The evolution of IWD throughout the 20th century has been phenomenal, with each country celebrating this day according to its customs and traditions. IWD is celebrated yearly with events, rallies, workshops, panel discussions, career fairs, and performances.
International Women's Day 2025 Theme
Starting in 1996, IWD connected to a theme that addressed current global issues for women. This year's theme, "Accelerate Action," highlights taking immediate and critical steps to achieve gender equality. "According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will be 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity." ("IWD 2025 Campaign Theme") To increase the rate of progress, we must address systemic barriers that women face immediately.
As we approach International Women's Day, let's recognize the brave individuals, influential groups, and significant events that helped evolve this global movement to advance gender equality collectively. Women are true architects of our society.
"IWD 2025 Campaign Theme Is 'Accelerate Action.'" International Women's Day, www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme.
Ebony Stonewall-James is a Client Communications Specialist at Pinnacle HR Consulting, LLC (“Pinnacle HR”). Founded in 2011, Pinnacle HR is a minority and woman-owned human resources consulting firm that supports small non-profit organizations and businesses primarily in the Washington, DC, region.
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