By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
In our current society at a time when women are speaking out so vehemently for their rights, Thursday, March 8, 2018 becomes an even more significant date in history.
March 8, 2018, is International Women’s Day, not just nationally, but, globally as well. Men and women across the world will celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women. The United Nations chose to officially recognize this day in 1975 and it has been declaring it a day of recognition ever since, although the day truly came about in February 1910 with the arrival of the women’s suffragette movement.
Over the course of many decades, women have displayed a more emphatic voice for their values and beliefs, and most recently, have stood united that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. This was how the #TimesUp movement and #MeToo movement were born, gaining more and more members every day. March 8th, 2018 is that special day for women to be heard, praising their platforms as they drive home a most imperative theme.
The 2018 theme for International Women’s Day is #PressforProgress, which stands for a push for gender parity worldwide. There will be various events taking place in all parts of the world to commemorate this day. In New York, a late afternoon rally will be held at Washington Square Park located in Greenwich Village which will be followed by a march to Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan where the Occupy Wall Street camps could be found a few years back. The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta will be hosting a luncheon and roundtable on the “state of the woman.” Debuting at the event will be an entrepreneurship initiative for female business owners. San Francisco will be hosting a benefit for female migrant workers where attendees will get to see their dance music culture and the event will assist Alianza Nacional De Campesinas, the first national farmworker women’s rights group. Abroad, London will host the talent of women by showcasing an art exhibit with live music. There will be storytelling in Camden and in Limerick, Ireland, a ‘Women in Film’ series will take place. There will be concerts, conferences, marches and more.
Promising to act means to do your part to maintain a gender parity mindset, challenge all stereotypes and bias, forge positive visibility of women, influence the actions and beliefs of others and ensure that women receive the credit they deserve for their achievements. Speak out on each of your social media platforms in support of #PressforProgress and to get your voice heard.
Corporations partnering with International Women’s Day 2018 include Vodafone, Caterpillar and MetLife and supporters include Amazon, Western Union, McDonalds and McKesson.
The hope is that this united movement is only just beginning as International Women’s Day comes to an end late in the evening. Keep #PressforProgress growing stronger and stronger as the year progresses, making the theme come to life and believing that success is easy to attain on this united front. This is a mass call to action as voices become more vocal with every year that passes.
Promote your own event on March 8th, 2018 by using the unique web link of your event on the International Women’s Day website to reach out to a wider audience of fellow advocates.
Together, we can do this, as females with a voice that deserves full equality and the right to be heard today, tomorrow and in the future.
