International Women’s Day: What it means and Ways to Recognize it
International Women’s Day represents a long-standing tradition of women standing together to champion women’s rights and progress in the mission for gender equality. When International Women’s Day was first celebrated, the focus was to grant women the right to vote. Over the years, the focus has evolved. This year the international women’s day website offers ways to “take action” through pledging to focus on one of the following five behaviors: 1.) Maintain a gender parity mindset 2.) Challenge stereotypes and bias 3.) Forge positive visibility of women 4.) Influence others’ belief and actions and 5.) Celebrate women’s achievements.
Below are some ways to take these actions and get involved:
Engage, but stay positive
It can be tempting to post to social media reactively, to express horror at the most recent act worthy of outrage or to decry a misogynistic comment or post. While this may feel cathartic in the moment, it does little to advance gender equity. A more effective way to use social media is to uplift other women up! Post about a friend’s new art show, promotion, or any other achievement. Help the projects that celebrate women gain visibility by sharing them, and help the messages of hate lose viewership by ignoring them as best you can.
Celebrate the history of the movement
So much of what we learn in school and what we see in the media focuses on the negative facets of our past and ways in which women have been marginalized and dismissed throughout history. To celebrate International Women’s Day, read up on great, positive achievements of strong women throughout history using resources like the National Women’s History Project, or Women’s History Teaching Resources through the Smithsonian – a page which honors female scientists, inventors and other great achievers.
Celebrate yourself
Whether it be challenging stereotypes, forging positive visibility, or influencing beliefs – the first place to “take action” is within yourself. Consider writing down what you think it means to be a woman, and then considering where some of your beliefs and assumptions come from. Who are your female role models? How can you become a good example for young women today? What do you love about yourself? Take this time for introspection, and most importantly – celebration.
International Women’s Day represents a long-standing tradition of women standing together to champion women’s rights and progress in the mission for gender equality. When International Women’s Day was first celebrated, the focus was to grant women the right to vote. Over the years, the focus has evolved. This year the international women’s day website offers ways to “take action” through pledging to focus on one of the following five behaviors: 1.) Maintain a gender parity mindset 2.) Challenge stereotypes and bias 3.) Forge positive visibility of women 4.) Influence others’ belief and actions and 5.) Celebrate women’s achievements.
Below are some ways to take these actions and get involved:
Engage, but stay positive
It can be tempting to post to social media reactively, to express horror at the most recent act worthy of outrage or to decry a misogynistic comment or post. While this may feel cathartic in the moment, it does little to advance gender equity. A more effective way to use social media is to uplift other women up! Post about a friend’s new art show, promotion, or any other achievement. Help the projects that celebrate women gain visibility by sharing them, and help the messages of hate lose viewership by ignoring them as best you can.
Celebrate the history of the movement
So much of what we learn in school and what we see in the media focuses on the negative facets of our past and ways in which women have been marginalized and dismissed throughout history. To celebrate International Women’s Day, read up on great, positive achievements of strong women throughout history using resources like the National Women’s History Project, or Women’s History Teaching Resources through the Smithsonian – a page which honors female scientists, inventors and other great achievers.
Celebrate yourself
Whether it be challenging stereotypes, forging positive visibility, or influencing beliefs – the first place to “take action” is within yourself. Consider writing down what you think it means to be a woman, and then considering where some of your beliefs and assumptions come from. Who are your female role models? How can you become a good example for young women today? What do you love about yourself? Take this time for introspection, and most importantly – celebration.
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