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Not only is March Women’s History Month, but it also features International Women’s Day! Held annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a day celebrated across the globe in which incredible women from the past and present are highlighted, along with their struggles and achievements.
If you don't know much about the holiday, we're here to teach you all about it. Here’s everything you need to know about International Women’s Day 2024, including its history and some of our favorite ways to celebrate the occasion, from shopping from women-owned businesses to supporting female creatives.
When is International Women’s Day 2024?
International Women’s Day is observed annually on March 8. This year, it falls on Friday, March 8.
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women while also serving as a call to action to further equality.
History of International Women’s Day
Did you know that the origins of this holiday spans all the way back to beginning of the 20th century?
International Women’s Day has a long history dating back to the early twentieth century. The first documented Women's Day was observed in the United States on February 28th. Organized by the Socialist Party of America, the day was meant to commemorate the 1908 Garment Worker's Strike in which women protested their working conditions.
In the following decade, international women's suffrage movements organized National Women's Days across various nations in Europe. These days were meant to drum up support for women's rights to vote, equality in education, and an end to discrimination.
In 1975, the United Nations began celebrating March 8th as International Women’s Day. While International Women’s Day is not an officially recognized holiday in the United States, it is in many countries including China, Ukraine, Russia, Zambia, and many others.
What is the theme for International Women’s Day 2024?
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion.” It affirms that inspiring inclusion fosters a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment in women and, in doing so, makes the world a better place.
Ways to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024
If you're looking for a reason to celebrate, International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to spotlight a lady who's made a difference in your life.
There are many ways to commemorate and celebrate International Women's Day. For one, you can take the time to honor an important woman in your life, such as by writing her a thoughtful letter or giving her a gift to show how much they mean to you and inspire you. If you identify as a woman, you can use the day as an excuse to give yourself well-earned rest or to reflect on the ways you are strong and valid.
International Women's Day owes its existence largely to the various suffrage movements that populated the early twentieth century. While great strides have been made to improve women’s rights since the early 1900s, there's still a lot of work to be done. Consider dedicating your time to helping a woman-related cause you care about or learning about important and influential women figures. What’s more, educate others about the groundbreaking women of our past and present. Finally, you can support women-owned businesses and products by purchasing from them, as solidarity is power.
Dive into biographies of amazing women
As she had to overcome the difficulties brought on by her blindness and deafness, Helen Keller is a prime example of the power of perseverance. In addition to advocating for those with disabilities, Helen Keller was a staunch supporter of women's suffrage and other freedoms considered radical at the time. One of the best books to learn about this larger-than-life woman is The Radical Lives of Helen Keller by Kim E. Nielson as it delves into the aspects of Helen Keller that are often sanitized or glossed over
If we're talking about larger-than-life women from the early twentieth century, we'd be remiss to leave out Amelia Earheart, the record-breaking pilot extraordinaire who opened the door for many female pilots after her. Her death was as notable as her life, with the mystery surrounding it remaining unsolved to this day. If you'd like to learn more about Earheart, 27 years later, her eponymous biography by Doris L. Rich continues to be a great, comprehensive read about her