I am a woman who realizes that my voice is not always respected. I am a woman who, like women all over the world, will contribute to economic and social achievements. It is my duty, therefore, to not allow myself to be left unrecognized. I am a woman who will celebrate Tuesday, March 8, which has earned the name International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is the one day a year dedicated to celebrating working women all over the world. The importance of IWD is to honor all that women have done for the working world and to inspire continued action in the fight for equal rights.
I am a woman who is proud to work. Working is an opportunity that has not always been available to my sex. I am a woman who knows that women before me, who were first given the right to work outside the house, had to endure demanding work shifts in unsanitary environments and fight for each cent that they earned. These women are the reason I am given infinite opportunities, and I'm grateful for their sacrifices.
IWD was created to acknowledge the struggle for equality that working women faced about a century ago, when most were only allowed to work in factories. Under intense supervision, these women were often penalized for laughing, talking, and singing. The polluted and musty air of factories where women worked often caused them to develop serious health complications, requiring treatment that they would never be able to afford. Working women in America have come a long way in the past 100 years, but our journey is far from over.
The battle for recognition that working women faced began on March 8, 1857, in New York City. Women working in clothing factories organized to protest their deplorable working conditions and consistently long shifts and, ultimately, fought for equal working rights. Police tore apart their march, but their voices carried a melody for generations to come. On March 8, 1908, another march was held in New York City to honor the original march, with an added demand for the right to vote. It’s almost hard to believe that women like me did not have a voice in politics less than a hundred years ago. Women were not given the same rights as men to form unions for their arduous labor, and these brave women took a risk to end this treatment for good.
This year, the IWD campaign theme is called #PledgeForParity. Parity is the unrelenting difference in the amount of money that men and women earn. The gender wage gap is predicted to end in 2133. But I am a woman who won’t live to see this and, therefore, I am angered. I am woman who has made it my duty to pledge for the closing of the gender wage gap because the money I make should equal what I earn. This is a basic right that should be provided with my dedication to work for my achievements.
As a woman, I must take action.
This is why I encourage working women to believe in their potential. I'll always work towards inspiring women to advocate for change. And I am not alone in my beliefs. There are many women who, like me, deserve to be making what they've earned. Working for money is an achievement and it requires the proper recognition.
IWD is a day to be proud of the advancements that women have made throughout history and to be eager for the triumphs yet to come. Working women have fought for this day, and I am a woman who is grateful for my opportunities. Today is the day when I celebrate working women all over the world, and when I strive to work toward ending the gender wage gap for my generation.
I am a woman who will work towards her goals and take pride in her accomplishments. Happy International Women’s Day to all the working women who have earned this day of recognition.
