This year, on March 8th I'll be celebrating International Women's Day. It all started back in 1961 when the United Nations established this day to honor women everywhere who have been working tirelessly for equality and justice throughout history - from Guildford Green which is where they first met during World War II as well as post-revolutionary France (1917) fighting against colonial powers like France or England; through to today's Ukraine as we marvel at the women defending their country, protecting their families and making hard difficult decisions that we can't even imagine.
The origins of International Women's Day can be traced back to 1908 when women from around the world gathered in New York City to demand better working conditions and fairer wages. For the first time, women from different countries came together to unite in their struggle for better lives. The women who participated in this march were garment workers, textile workers, and tradeswomen from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Austria.
This year's International Women's Day is all about 'Equality for women is progress for all". Fitting for 2022 with the war in Ukraine.
This year as we celebrate International Women's Day let us honor the impact and examples that the women of Ukraine are doing that will be felt for many generations to come.
As I watch the daily human tragedy of Ukraine, I continue to focus my attention on the women. Women warriors, taking up arms, making weapons, all ages, all shapes, sizes, and colors. Women UNITED with men to reclaim their lives and the lives of their communities and country. Women walk to the surrounding borders with their children and loved ones, young and old. We see women running out of their homes, diving from the artillery that is aimed at them.
This image of a women's strength has been recorded since the beginning of time, from all countries, all atrocities, and all horrors. We see the women united in finding peace and safety for their families and communities.
That is what International Women's Day is all about, highlighting the strengths of women so that all can see their examples of power, strength, and resilience.
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