On February 28, the first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States in 1909. In 1910, an International Women’s Day was celebrated in Denmark. By 1911, European observers included Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
In 1975, the United Nations declared March 8 to be the official date for International Women’s Day (IWD). This is the date to put on your calendar, manually, as most calendars omit it. International Women’s Day remains an obscure day of observance. It should be a major holiday! This year the IWD theme is “Give to Gain”.
The transnational suffragette movement waged a concentrated fight for women’s rights for over 75 years, giving their blood, sweat, and tears. The United States finally ratified voting rights for women in 1920 with the 19th Amendment. But the US was not the first nation to grant women voting rights. That distinction goes to Finland, in 1906. Norway followed in 1913.
Women’s rights lagged behind in some European countries. For example: Spanish women gained voting rights in 1931. Then when the fascist Francisco Franco regime came to power in 1939, women’s rights were severely restricted by an authoritarian interpretation of traditional, conservative views. The modern evolution of women’s rights stopped. Age of majority and the guardianship of fathers and husbands were ongoing issues. Spanish women largely retained the right to vote, in theory. In practice, there were no major elections during Franco’s long rule from 1939 to 1975.
Keep all this in mind, if you have a chance to watch the beautiful and touching Spanish TV series, La Otra Mirada (AKA A Different View or The Boarding School). The setting is a girls boarding school in 1920s Seville. The storyline deals with feminist issues of that era.
Yeah, so, women’s rights should be a big deal. What are some fun facts about women?
Women typically have two X chromosomes (XX).
Women propagate the next generation.
God created Adam first (the expendable sex), in order to protect the more essential Eve.
Dispite God’s opinion, women are often treated like second-class citizens or worse.
Former President Jimmy Carter stated the number one human rights abuse is the mistreatment of women.
He challenged his fellow men with this statement:
“In general, men don’t give a dame… The average man that might say, I’m against the abuse of women and girls, quietly accepts the priviled position that they occupy.” ~ President Jimmy Carter
The 2026 International Women’s Day is theme is “Give to Gain.” Giving is the way, both women and men, preserve human life and support future generations. Giving is synergy. Because a synergistic total is greater than the sum of its parts, giving is also miraculous. Somehow, we manifest something out of nothing.
Giving is miraculous.
Let’s remember that many men are well-meaning givers. At the same time, we can ALL be better givers. Now, what can be done to elevate this important day that honors women?
Make a simple, conscious effort to do something that helps to support and advance women and girls.
Strike the “give to gain” pose with your friends. (See image above.) Explain to other people what it means.
Talk about the IWD’s Venus symbol logo. Doesn’t it look a lot like a life preserver? Hey! Maybe that’s because women ARE life preservers!
If you are able, volunteer at a organization in your community that supports women and girls and their human rights.
If you are able, make a financial contribution to the cause of women’s rights, be it local, national, or international.
Men, be a role-model of somebody who likes women as people and find their viewpoints valuable.
Parents, teach your sons to clean up and do for themselves.
Women, remember that men are not actually meal tickets. They have tender sensibilities, too.
Affirm that women’s rights are human rights. Affirm that equality is precious.
On March 8, may we acknowledge the many gifts and strengths that women possess. May we remember how women share their gifts and abilities–so their children, neighbors, and nation may thrive. Let’s burst with admiration and pride on International Women’s Day.
Meanwhile, I aim to choose “The Woman I Most Admire.” Could she be Madame Curie, Mother Teresa, or AOC? It is going to be a hard selection. Help me out. Tell me which woman you admire most, and why. Simply use the Comments Section. Thank you.
