By KAYLA DEMICCO
Opinion Editor
According to the National Day Calendar website, “National Women’s History Month was established in 1987 as a way to celebrate women across the nation and their efforts to make the country, and world, a better place for women of all ages and races.”
To show appreciation for women all around the world, International Women’s Day occurred on March 8 and people took to social media to celebrate and recognize the influential women in their lives and the achievements from women all throughout history.
International Women’s Day started in the early 1900s and still continues to be a worldwide trend. (And in case you’re curious, there is also an International Men’s Day and it is held on Nov. 19.)
The theme for this year’s International Day was #BalanceForBetter. On InternationalWomensDay.com, it said the theme means “A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world? Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.”
It is no shock that there is a great inequality between men and women and with inequality, comes an imbalance.
“Balance is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive,” said the International Women’s Day website.
Gloria Steinem, feminist, journalist and activist said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
In order to go towards a more unified society, the campaign is not limited to just one day in March. It can be reinforced all year round. The fight for gender equality is not something that will die down quickly (or easily).
Following the results of the election back in November 2018, it was deemed “Year of the Women” as there was a huge increase in women in elected offices. This pushes forward the phrase “The Future is Female.” So far, there are five women Democrats running for president in the 2020 Election. This gives me hope that we will get a president that we deserve soon that will actually work to get things done.
How can you celebrate Women’s History Month? Thank a woman who inspires you. Respectfully compliment someone. Read about women throughout history who’ve done empowering things. Listen to your favorite feminist anthems. Watch a documentary on a history-making woman. Educate yourself with some facts about feminism. Donate to your favorite organization that supports women. Speak up and speak out on misogyny. Lift up the women around you. (Bustle.com)
At The College of Saint Rose, multiple student groups, campus ministry, Intercultural Leadership, Student Life, and Violence Protection have put together a month full of events called “The F Word: Feminism, Film, Festivities” to celebrate Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, they will show multiple films and documentaries that touch on the topic of feminism and import issues that women face. To conclude Women’s History Month, a discussion will be held in the Hubbard Sanctuary on March 28 at 4 p.m. based on abolitionist and women’s rights activist, Sojourner Truth’s, “Ain’t I A Woman” speech, which regards racial inequalities in the year 1851 at an Ohio Women’s Rights Convention.
Don’t limit yourself to celebate women only during one month of the year. Women deserve to be appreciated and respected everywhere and all year round.
