International Women's Day 8th March

Maria Stadler (1888 – nach 1943), Public domain Image courtesy of  Wikimedia Commons

International Women's Day is celebrated annually as a focal point in the Women's Rights Movement. It focuses on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women. Spurred by the universal female suffraget movement, IWD originated from labour movements in Europe and North America during the early 20th century. 

The earliest reported version was a "Woman's Day" organised by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen to propose "a special Women's Day" be organized annually, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women's Day across Europe.

In 1922 Vladimir Lenin declared March 8 as IWD to honour the women's role in the 1917 Russian Revolution and it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday became a mainstream global holiday following its promotion by the United Nations in 1977.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x