By Aiden Plumbe
March 8th marks a significant day in our society’s culture on a worldwide level. This day encourages all of us to show acknowledgement of all the social, cultural, political and economic achievements of women throughout history. The day is a commemoration of women’s consistent struggle for equality and rights, focusing on universal present issues such as gender equality and abuse against women. It also acts as a time to show gratitude towards the important female figures in our own lives, recognising their impact on the world we live in today.
In the 1900’s, the fight for women’s suffrage began to gain momentum in Britain, as several women were tired of having no political voice and having decisions made for them. This series of unsuccessful attempts prompted Emmeline Pankhurst to create the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903. This was a political movement run by only women that campaigned for women’s suffrage. In 1908, this movement carried across to America where women also experienced inequality. As a result, 15,000 women campaigned for voting rights and better pay by marching on the streets of New York City. From this protesting came the very first National Women’s Day in America on the 28th of February 1909.
However, the idea for an international day celebrating women came in 1910 from Clara Zetkin at an international conference of working women in Copenhagen. Here, 100 women from 17 countries agreed with this proposal, proclaiming to create International Women’s Day to appreciate women’s ongoing struggles to improve their lives. In 1911, the very first International Women’s Day was celebrated by Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on the 19th of March, the last weekend of February. However, on March 25th less than a week later, the ‘Triangle Fire’ in New York City resulted in the death of around 140 working women which drew attention to working conditions and labour legislation. This became a focus of following International Women’s Day events.
Russia commemorated International Women’s Day for the first time in 1913 on the last weekend of February. However, following discussions, the day was agreed to be celebrated on March 8th which translated into the widely adopted Gregorian calendar. This became the official date that we still use today.
In 1914, World War I led to the recruitment of many women in munition factories as railway guards, police officers, firefighters and many more. With so many men at war, the sudden need for women in the workforce became urgent. During this time, perspectives of women in the workforce began to change.
Throughout the 20th century, numerous achievements of women occurred. By 1928 in Britain, all women above the age of 21 were allowed to vote. In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Rigg in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ which ended the exclusive media attention on male tennis players and brought necessary attention to the gender gap. In 1974, Isabel Martinez de Peron became the first female president in the world in Argentina. The United Nations recognised International Women’s Day in 1975, and more female achievements kept coming.
Battle of the Sexes
Even though International Women’s Day is only one day, it is important to always be conscious of the significant impact of women in our history, as well as the numerous women in our own lives who do so much for every one of us. If you are interested in developing a better appreciation for women in our lives, you can join the Gender Equity Committee at Newington.