International Women's Day in Dallas - March 8, 2013

This is the first time I have heard of International Women's Day. 

I was surprised to find out, it's a holiday that's been observed since the early 1900s, and has gained such popularity over time that it is now an official holiday in get ready for it........

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia! 


Well, strangely, it's not a holiday here in the US.  Maybe women's rights are one of those things that the USA already takes for granted.

I'm not sure, but in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York for the first time, chanting for the right to vote, the right to work decent hours and with appropriate wages - isn't that a momentous event in our history that should be celebrated and recognized?

So, why could I only find one or two local events in a city of 1,223,229 (here in Dallas)?  Maybe it's because in general the US has had a longer period of women's rights being recognized, compared to some other countries?  

International Women's Day Events in DFW

Words of Women and IWD - March 8 
"Celebrating Women here and around the world through entertainment, exhibits, Fun, Food, and Conversation"
Where: Bath House Cultural Center - Dallas, TX

International Women's Day Luncheon - March 8
"Peacemakers Incorporated and UNA Dallas invite you to an International Woman's Day Luncheon honoring Peace Patron Beverly Tobian" 
Where: Tower Club Younan Room - Dallas, TX 
  

I think we should strive to make International Women's Day a bigger celebration here in the US, and specifically the DFW area. It's important to take a moment to recognize the struggles that women locally, as well as around the world have made in their strides toward achieving equality in the workplace, politics and even at home. 

While strides have been made, the journey of equality for women is by no means complete. The facts are that surprisingly, women are still not earning equal levels of pay in the workplace, nor are they equally represented (in number) in the world of politics or business. Globally, women still struggle with less access to education, healthcare and continue to be victims of violence across the globe. 

This year, I will continue to try to do my part in raising awareness for women's issues around the world, in participating in Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200.  

Here's hoping that next year, there will be more than just (2) events in Dallas to celebrate International Women's Day - where we can recognize how far we as women have come, and renew our endurance for how far we still have to go.    

#womensday

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. This post is part of my commitment in being a Mom Blogger for Social Good and member of the Global Team of 200.