As we approach March 8, I would like to share some research on International Women's Day
The history of International Women's Day began on March 8, 1857 in New York City, when women working in clothing and textile factories took to the streets to protest against inhumane working conditions, low wages and sexual harassment in the work place. The police attacked the protesters and dispersed them. Two years later, again in March, these women formed their first labor union to try and protect themselves and gain some basic rights in the workplace.
Conditions for working women did not improve much. On 8 March 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding better working conditions, shorter work hours, better pay, voting rights and an end to child labor. They adopted the slogan "Bread and Roses", symbolizing economic security and a better quality of life. The strike lasted 13 weeks. The first ever National Woman's Day was celebrated in the United States on Feb. 28, 1909.
During this time, women from across North America and Europe were demanding women's rights and suffrage. In 1910, an international conference of 100 Socialist Women from 17 countries met in Copenhagen, Denmark. They established a day to recognize and honour the movement for women's rights, including the right to vote. The first International Women's Day was celebrated the next year on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
On March 25, 1911 a fire in a sweatshop in New York killed 145 female garment workers. Many of the fire escapes were locked to prevent the women from slipping out, even for a few minutes break. 80,000 workers marched through the streets to attend the mass funeral for the victims. A year later, 14,000 textile workers went out on strike with a rallying cry "better to starve fighting than starve working" Their courage inspired the song "Bread and Roses", symbolizing economic justice and quality of life.
Between 1913 and 1917, women in Russia and other parts of Europe held rallies to protest the war and to express solidarity with their sisters. With 2 million Russian soldiers dead in the war, on the last Sunday of February 1917, Russian women went on strike for "bread and peace".
International Women's Day has been celebrated in other parts of the world in February or March and sporadically in North America until the end of the 1960s, when interest was renewed with another rise of feminism and growing concern for the rights of women and children
In 1977, two years after International Women's Year, the United Nations declared March 8 as a day to celebrate the rights of women and international peace.
Status of Women Canada says "Over the years, International Women's Day evolved into an occasion to highlight the progress made, to celebrate the gains in the fight for women's rights and to consider future steps to improve women's equality. The celebrations also grew and often stretched over a week, with March 8 being the highlight. This year in Canada, International Women's Week will be celebrated from Sunday, March 5 to Saturday, March 11
The Canadian theme for 2006 is Beyond Laws: The Right to Be Me. This theme addresses women's rights, women's diversity and the need to put words into action. The laws guarantee women and men equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities in all aspects of Canadian life. In spite of the strong legal foundations, a gap remains between laws and the reality of women's lives. For example, many issues persist, such as violence and poverty."
On IWD 2006, I invite you to have a cup of tea with another woman, or a group of women, and look at the events and issues that have led up to this day:
The struggle continues, don't give up. Like our foremothers, we can draw strength and energy from other women.
Blessings as you share stories, tears and laughter, and as you work together to make a difference.
Bev Diduck, for COG
Website maintained by
Laurel Beyer
and
Cathy Anderson
