International Women's Day in New York
International Women's Day is a day of empowerment for women from all walks of life, and a day demanding change, equality and respect. There is so much going on around the world, so we've put together an article that explains just what International Women's Day is all about, and how you can celebrate it in style.
What is International Women's Day?
Now, more than ever, there's a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There's a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. For more information, visit the official website.
When is International Women's Day?
8 March, 2018, though the very first first march took place in 1908, with 1,500 women marching throughout New York. National Women's Day, the inception of International Women's Day, was first held in 1909. The movement has gained momentum in recent years, particularly with the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns.
Showing the women in your life how much you value them is a lovely way to celebrate. Consider buying them a bouquet of flowers.
What is #MeToo?
In 2006, Tarana Burke founded the me too. movement to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color from low wealth communities, find pathways to healing. Using the idea of “empowerment through empathy,” the me too. movement was ultimately created to ensure survivors know they're not alone in their journey.
The me too. movement has built a community of survivors from all walks of life. By bringing vital conversations about sexual violence into the mainstream, we're helping to de-stigmatize survivors by highlighting the breadth and impact sexual violence has on thousands of women, and we’re helping those who need it to find entry points to healing. Ultimately, with survivors at the forefront of this movement, we're aiding the fight to end sexual violence. We want to uplift radical community healing as a social justice issue and are committed to disrupting all systems that allow sexual violence to flourish. For more information, check out the official website, here.
What is #TimesUp?
TIME’S UP is a unified call for change from women in entertainment for women everywhere. From movie sets to farm fields to boardrooms alike, we envision nationwide leadership that reflects the world in which we live.
Powered by women, TIME’S UP addresses the systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace that have kept underrepresented groups from reaching their full potential. We partner with leading advocates for equality and safety to improve laws, employment agreements, and corporate policies; help change the face of corporate boardrooms and the C-suite; and enable more women and men to access our legal system to hold wrongdoers accountable.
No more silence. No more waiting. No more tolerance for discrimination, harassment or abuse. Read more here.
Purple is the color of International Women's Day, so why not buy yourself some gorgeous pink flowers?
What kind of live events are happening in New York?
Going to a live event is a wonderfully unique experience. You'll meet likeminded and inspiring people, hear powerful stories from amazing women, and get to experience an energy unlike any other. Some popular events happening in new York City include:
On March 8th, the International Women's Strike NYC - a coalition representing dozens of grassroots groups and labor organizations - is organizing a number of actions in support of labor campaigns, migrants' rights, Sanctuary Campus campaigns, and others.
Hotbed explores the vibrant political and artistic scene of Greenwich Village in the early 20th century, where men and women joined forces across the boundaries of class and race to fight for a better world. At the heart of the downtown radicals’ crusade lay women’s rights: to control their own bodies, to do meaningful work, and above all, to vote. Immersive installations and more than 100 artifacts and images—drawn from New-York Historical’s archives and several private collections—bring to life the bohemian scene and its energetic activist spirit.
Like a lot of her family before her, Norma Rae (Sally Field) works at the local textile mill, where the pay is hardly commensurate with the long hours and lousy working conditions. But after hearing a rousing speech by labor activist Reuben (Ron Leibman), Norma is inspired to rally her fellow workers behind the cause of unionism. Her decision rankles her family, especially her fiancé, Sonny (Beau Bridges), and provokes no shortage of contempt from her employers.
Don't miss out on seeing some kick ass films about women who rock!
Inspired by the Judy Chicago’s 1979 feminist piece called ‘The Dinner Party’, this event is a celebration of women and vaginas throughout herstory. It is a modern interpretation of the piece with a collaboration from the guests during the event. Each guest will paint hers/his own plate signifying their perspective or ideology of what it means to be a woman or have a vagina today.
Dear Heroines of New York City: Calls for transformative action surround us. Whether you feel the call on a personal level or a global one, I hope The Heroines' Writing Circle Project will become a creative community where we can imagine, model and create change within ourselves, expanding our circles of influence through personal development, writing and the arts, and publishing (print, digital, and transmedia). Our event is recognized by the International Women's Dayorganization as an official event in New York City on March 8, 2018--International Women's Day.
Join Kombrewcha in celebrating International Women's Day. We have a panel of all-star boss ladies who will be discussing how to foster and mentor the next generation of superwomen. Create a one-of-a-kind denim piece that shows off your girl-power at the unemployed denim customization station. Set an intention for supporting women and their ambitions in 2018.
Plus so many more!
What if I can't make a live event?
There are so many fantastic ways to celebrate International Women's Day, even if you can't make a major event or prefer to spend your time on your own or with friends. Our favorites are:
- Throw an awesome party, where you play music only made by women.
- Invite the special women in your life to an intimate lunch, and tell them how much they mean to you.
- Ask the women closest to you about their experiences with inequality, and share your stories. Be sure to reach out to your older relatives to get their valuable perspective on what's changed, and what hasn't.
- Take in some female driven culture, like a live show, empowering film or positive television show.
- Treat yourself to something fabulous, because you deserve it! Buy yourself a gift or decorate your house with some beautiful roses.
- Give yourself a break, stop being so hard on yourself and recognize that you're doing your best.
- Commit to making long-lasting change, speaking up for yourself and fighting against inequality.
- Spoil someone you love with a gorgeous bouquet of roses delivery.