This International Women’s Day (IWD), it’s important to celebrate the women left behind who have paved the way for gender equality.
The roots of IWD can be traced back to the early 20th century when women around the world began organizing and mobilizing for their rights. The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, in honour of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where 15,000 women protested against unlawful working conditions and demanded better pay and shorter hours.
Inspired by this movement, the idea of an international day to celebrate women’s achievements gained momentum. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and feminist, proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal was met with unanimous approval, and the first IWD was celebrated the following year in Austria, Denmark, , and Switzerland on March 19.
Since then, IWD has grown into a global phenomenon. It’s celebrated annually on March 8 to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality while highlighting the ongoing challenges women continue to face.
However, as we celebrate the achievements of women on this day, it’s important to recognize the narrative of women’s rights has often been dominated by the experiences of upper-middle class, white women.
Throughout history, women from marginalized communities, including women of colour, LGBTQ+ women, disabled women, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, have faced intersectional oppression that often goes unrecognized. Their stories are a testament to the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity.
Women of colour have played instrumental roles in shaping movements for social justice and equality, yet their contributions have frequently been overshadowed by the narratives of their white counterparts. Fannie Lou Hamer was one of the most powerful voices of the civil and voting rights movements, and Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese-American activist who fought against racism for all.
Two more notable names include Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. congress, and Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate who bravely advocates for girls’ education worldwide. These are just a handful women of colour who have made invaluable contributions to the fight for gender equality and racial justice.
LGBTQ+ women have faced discrimination and marginalization within both mainstream society and feminist movements. Women like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were key figures in the Stonewall uprising, and Audre Lorde, a poet and activist who advocated for intersectional feminism, have paved the way for LGBTQ+ right and visibility.
Their courage and resilience have challenged societal norms and pushed for greater acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within broader conversations about gender equality.
Disabled women, too, have been at the forefront of advocacy efforts, demanding recognition of their rights and inclusion in all aspects of society.
Leaders like Judith Heumann, the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” and Alice Wong, a disability activist and consultant to the Obama istration, have been tireless advocates for disability rights and inclusion. Their activism hasn’t only challenged ableism but highlighted the importance of intersectionality in addressing the needs of disabled women within the broader feminist movement.
We can’t forget the women from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who have been instrumental in grassroots organizing and community activism, advocating for economic justice and equity.
Women like Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, and Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, have defied odds, mobilized communities, and brought attention to the experiences of marginalized women facing economic exploitation and sexual violence.
As we celebrate IWD, let’s to uplift the voices and experiences of all women, not just those who have traditionally held positions of privilege and power.
Let’s honour the courage, resilience, and determination of women from all walks of life who have fought tirelessly for equality and justice. Let’s commit ourselves to amplifying their voices, addressing the intersectional oppression they face, and working towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
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