WOMENS DAY OVERVIEW

Theme 2023 : The theme for International Women's Day 2023, “Embrace Equity”, highlights the critical difference between equity and equality.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights.

The history of Women's Day dates back to the early 1900s when women in various countries started organizing to demand better working conditions, voting rights, and an end to discrimination against women. The first National Women's Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, in honor of a garment workers' strike in New York City.

In 1910, at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the idea of a Women's Day to be celebrated every year in all countries. The proposal was unanimously adopted by the conference, and the first International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911.

Over the years, Women's Day has been marked by protests, rallies, and demonstrations to raise awareness about issues affecting women. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women's Day, and it has since been celebrated globally.

Today, International Women's Day is observed in many different ways around the world. Some people participate in marches and rallies, while others organize conferences, workshops, and cultural events to celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality.

HISTORY OF WOMEN'S ACHIEVERS IN CENTURY

Ancient History:

In Ancient Egypt, Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs, who ruled over Egypt for more than 20 years.

In Ancient Greece, Sappho was a poet and musician who is known for her lyric poetry and is considered one of the greatest poets of the ancient world.

19th and Early 20th Century:

In the 1800s, women's rights activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought for women's suffrage and helped secure the right to vote for women in the United States.

In the early 1900s, Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics and later in Chemistry for her pioneering work on radioactivity.

In 1917, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was established in the United States, which allowed women to serve in non-combat roles during World War I.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified in the United States, which granted women the right to vote.

In the 1930s, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and later disappeared while attempting to circumnavigate the globe.

During World War II, women played a critical role in the workforce and the military, taking on jobs traditionally held by men.

Later 20th Century:

In the 1960s, the feminist movement gained momentum in the United States and other parts of the world, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for women.

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space, as part of the Soviet Union's Vostok 6 mission.

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to be elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman to be nominated for Vice President of the United States by a major political party.

In 1997, Madeleine Albright became the first woman to be appointed as U.S. Secretary of State.

21st Century:

In 2007, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected female head of state in Africa, as President of Liberia.

In 2014, Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education, became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2017, Danica Roem became the first openly transgender person to be elected to a state legislature in the United States.

In 2018, Jacinda Ardern became the youngest female Prime Minister of New Zealand, and only the second woman to give birth while serving as a head of government.

In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first woman, first African American woman, and first person of South Asian descent to be elected as Vice President of the United States.

These are just a few examples of the many women who have achieved great things throughout history, and continue to inspire and empower people around the world.

here are some notable women who have been recognized as pioneers and deserving of the title "Woman of the Decade" in various fields:

Malala Yousafzai: Pakistani activist for female education, and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.

Angela Merkel: German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, and the first woman to hold the office.

Oprah Winfrey: American media executive, talk show host, and philanthropist who has been named one of the most influential women in the world.

Beyoncé: American singer, songwriter, and actress who has been recognized for her activism and advocacy for women's rights and black culture.

Serena Williams: American tennis player who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Greta Thunberg: Swedish environmental activist who gained international attention for her protests against climate change.

Ellen DeGeneres: American comedian, actress, and talk show host who has been recognized for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and philanthropic work.

Kamala Harris: American politician who served as Vice President of the United States from 2021 to present, and the first woman and person of color to hold the office.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American lawyer and Supreme Court Justice who was a pioneer for women's rights and gender equality.

Ada Yonath: Israeli crystallographer who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for her work on the structure of ribosomes.

These women, among many others, have broken barriers and made significant contributions in their respective fields, paving the way for future generations of women to achieve their goals and make a positive impact on society.

Here are some more remarkable women who have made significant contributions in various fields:

Marie Curie: Polish-born French physicist and chemist who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields (Physics and Chemistry).

Jane Goodall: English primatologist and anthropologist who is known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, and her advocacy for animal welfare and conservation.

Rosalind Franklin: British chemist and X-ray crystallographer who contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA, but whose work was largely overlooked at the time.

Florence Nightingale: British nurse and social reformer who is considered the founder of modern nursing, and whose work during the Crimean War transformed the field of nursing and healthcare.

Maya Angelou: American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist who is known for her powerful and inspiring works that reflect on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and women.

Mary Jackson: African American mathematician and aerospace engineer who was one of the first black women to work as a NASA scientist, and whose contributions helped pave the way for future generations of women and people of color in STEM fields.

Indira Gandhi: Indian politician who served as the first and only female Prime Minister of India, and who was known for her strong leadership and commitment to social justice and economic development.

Wangari Maathai: Kenyan environmental and political activist who was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and who founded the Green Belt Movement to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Ada Lovelace: English mathematician and writer who is known for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, and who is often considered the world's first computer programmer.

Frida Kahlo: Mexican artist and feminist icon who is known for her colorful and vibrant self-portraits, and who used her art to explore themes of identity, gender, and political oppression.

These women, and many others, have left lasting legacies in their respective fields, and continue to inspire and empower people around the world.