International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8 to recognize the achievements of women and to continue the fight for gender equality. It is a day to honor the progress women have made in areas like politics, education, and the workplace while also raising awareness of the challenges they still face. The history of this day goes back over a century to a time when women had very few rights and were fighting for basic freedoms, including the right to vote and fair working conditions.
The idea for International Women’s Day started in the early 1900s, when women in different countries began demanding better treatment. One important event was a protest in 1908 by women garment workers in New York City. They wanted shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. Inspired by movements like this, a German activist named Clara Zetkin suggested at a meeting in 1910 that there should be a special day every year to celebrate women and push for their rights. The first official International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. A few years later, the date was set as March 8, and over time, more and more countries joined in the celebration. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized the day, making it an important event around the world.
While International Women’s Day celebrates all women, it is important to recognize the contributions of Black women, who have played a major role in both women’s rights and civil rights. One of the earliest and most powerful voices was Sojourner Truth, a former slave who became a speaker and activist in the 1800s. Her famous speech, Ain’t I a Woman?, challenged the idea that women were weak and argued that Black women deserved the same rights as everyone else. Another important figure was Ida B. Wells, a journalist who spoke out against racism and violence while also fighting for women’s voting rights. Even though many white women’s rights groups ignored Black women, Wells continued to push for change.
In more recent times, Black women like Angela Davis, bell hooks, and Tarana Burke have continued the fight for equality. Angela Davis has spent her life standing up for people who face unfair treatment because of their race or gender. Bell hooks was a writer and teacher who helped people understand how different forms of discrimination are connected. Tarana Burke started the #MeToo movement, which helped bring attention to the issue of sexual violence, especially against women of color.
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate how far women have come while remembering that there is still work to do. It is also a time to honor the Black women who have helped shape history, often without receiving the credit they deserve. Their strength and determination have paved the way for future generations, proving that real change happens when people stand up and fight for what is right.
