International Women's Day Celebrates 100 Years
The past, present and future of women's rights
This article refers to events in March 2011.
When she moved to Chicago after living in Europe for 13 years, Laura Meyer was struck by the disparity between how International Women’s Day is recognized in America and abroad.
“In Poland, when I arrived at work on March 8, I had a big bouquet of red tulips on my desk,” she says. “I was told, ‘It’s International Women’s Day, don’t you know?’” The day, Ms. Meyer says, was used to acknowledge the ways women have contributed to society, with celebrations taking place on a national scale as well as in homes and offices.
But in the U.S., the impact of International Women’s Day, which is observed on March 8 and celebrates its centennial this year, is significantly less. To fill the void, Ms. Meyer partnered with WorldChicago Executive Director Peggy Parfenoff to launch a small networking event, drawing 50 people and featuring speaker Anne Roosevelt; International Trade Club of Chicago President Sidney Salvadori joined the cause a few years later. Today, their International Women’s Day Fair and Luncheon is celebrating its 10th anniversary, draws over 300 people and is one of the most widely recognized International Women’s Day celebrations in Chicago. Vice Chairman and Regional Managing Partner of Deloitte LLP Deborah DeHaas will speak at this year’s luncheon on Monday, March 7, 2011, about “The Business Case for Diversity: Why Developing Women Leaders is Imperative to the Success of Global Companies.”
“There should be an acknowledgment of the day,” says Ms. Meyer. “There’s value to women’s work – whether being paid in an office or at home contributing to the future of society’s needs – that needs to be acknowledged. Women go back and forth in these roles at different points in their lives; International Women’s Day can contribute to policies that will help women at all stages of their lives.”
Pictured above: An Afghani woman wears a red string on her finger as a “reminder” of the importance of International Women’s Day, part of CARE Canada’s 2010 campaign. Photo: Jake Wright/Courtesy CARE.
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is managing editor and electronic media editor of Today's Chicago Woman. She is active in various local and national women’s groups, including Step Up Women's Network, Rape Victim Advocates and the TCW Foundation, and is a member of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Young Professionals. She writes and speaks about local, national and international women's issues, including in her blog, “Twice As Well."
