By: Mikaela Consales & Helia Zargar 

Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day… but why? 

International Women’s Day is observed as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, which arose in the early twentieth century from labor movements in North America and Europe. Gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women were all highlighted on the day.

It was allegedly from a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America on February 28, 1909 in New York City. This later inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose an annual Women’s Day, though no specific date was set.

Among German political parties, the Social Democrats were the most vocal in their support for women’s rights, including the right to vote and equal pay. March 8th was officially designated as International Women’s Day in 1911, following a proposal by activist Clara Zetkin (1857-1933).

On March 8, 1914, this German poster called for a public gathering in support of women’s suffrage. The translation states: “Give Us Women’s Suffrage. Women’s Day, March 8, 1914. Until now, prejudice and reactionary attitudes have denied full civic rights to women, who as workers, mothers, and citizens wholly fulfill their duty, who must pay their taxes to the state as well as the municipality. Fighting for this natural human right must be the firm, unwavering intention of every woman, every female worker. In this, no pause for rest, no respite is allowed. Come all, you women and girls, to the ninth public women’s assembly on Sunday, March 8, 1914, at 3 pm”

Five years later, women in the Weimar Republic were granted the right to vote. On March 8, after women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, International Women’s Day was declared a globally celebrated and cherished holiday.

Today, we are especially grateful for those who have come before us, whose exhausting and passionate efforts have allowed us to celebrate International Women’s Day! May today serve as a reminder to express your appreciation and gratitude to the women in your life, not just today but every day.

Work Cited

“Brock to mark International Women’s Day with series of events.” Brock University, 3 March 2022, https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2022/03/brock-to-mark-international-womens-day-with-series-of-events/. Accessed 8 March 2023.

“International Women’s Day: March 8, 2023.” U.S. Census Bureau, 8 March 2023, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/international-womens-day.html. Accessed 8 March 2023.

Stadler, Karl Maria. “GHDI – Image.” GHDI – Image, https://ghdi.ghi-dc.org/sub_image.cfm?image_id=1651. Accessed 8 March 2023.