International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress and Advocating for Equity
International Women's Day: A Day of Commemoration and Action
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender equity. This special day marks a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
The History of International Women's Day
International Women's Day has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s:
1908: 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding better working conditions, shorter hours, and voting rights
1909: The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States
1917: Women's strike in Russia for "bread and peace" led to women's suffrage and solidified March 8th as the date
1975: The United Nations officially recognized International Women's Day
Today, International Women's Day is celebrated around the world as a cornerstone for inspiring action and positive change in laws, policies, and social norms affecting women's lives.
Women's History Month
Alongside International Women's Day, Women's History Month is celebrated to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. This month-long celebration provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements of women in various fields and to educate about the ongoing struggle for gender equity.
Inspiring Women with Hearing Loss
As we celebrate women's achievements, let's highlight some remarkable women who have excelled despite hearing loss challenges:
Adutl woman and child; Black hair, black clothing, white, grayish background
Helen Keller (1880-1968)
The first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree in 1904, Helen became a well-known publisher, writer, orator, and disability rights advocate. Her determination and achievements continue to inspire people worldwide.
Enjoy her documentry here:
https://youtu.be/ERbcoJ5V8Ow
Young lady with brown length hair, pink jacket, white backgroud with stuff animals
Rikki Poynter
A deaf YouTube blogger with a focus on deaf awareness, accessibility, and the importance of closed captioning. Her advocacy has brought attention to issues facing the deaf community.
Find her at:
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Halle Berry
An Oscar-winning actress who lost 80% of her hearing due to domestic violence. She helps raise awareness of the dangers of domestic violence and has become a powerful voice for survivors.
Have a listen to her Oscar winning speech:
https://youtu.be/llgL7mGYVTI
Mature woman with gray length hair; gray leather jacket against white/black concrete wall.
Evelyn Glennie
A deaf percussionist who learned to hear with parts of her body other than her ears. She feels music in different parts of her body, which she discusses in her 2003 TED talk, "How to Truly Listen." Evelyn has also published a book of speeches and writings called "Listen World!"
Listen to her TEDtalk:
https://youtu.be/IU3V6zNER4g
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Tamika Catchings
A retired professional basketball player who played with the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). A ten-time all-star, she accomplished everything while living with hearing loss and ranked in the top ten in 16 statistical categories at the time of her retirement.
Listen to her TEDtalk:
https://youtu.be/fOhvQGmN1ks
Challenges That Still Exist
Despite significant progress, women still face many challenges globally:
Gender-based violence continues to affect millions of women
Economic disparities persist, with women earning less than men for equal work
Political underrepresentation limits women's voices in policy decisions
Access to education and healthcare remains unequal in many parts of the world
Women with disabilities face additional layers of discrimination
The Importance of Representation
Representation is crucial in inspiring future generations. When we see people who look like us succeeding, it helps us believe that we can succeed too. This is especially important for women with hearing loss in the Black community, where representation has historically been limited.
Not only have these women shown excellence, it shows we are women, hear us roar! I can definitely learn how to lead my passion to spread awareness in the Black community!
Moving Forward: Advocacy and Awareness
Inspired by these remarkable women, we can all play a part in advancing gender equity and disability awareness:
Share stories of women who inspire you
Support organizations working toward gender equity
Advocate for accessibility and inclusion
Educate yourself and others about the challenges faced by women with disabilities
Celebrate the achievements of women in your community
International Women's Day and Women's History Month remind us of how far we've come and how far we still need to go. By working together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive world for all women.
I am so in awe of the wonderful things these women have done! They continue to inspire me! Their achievements serve as a reminder of the strength and determination that women possess. Each story of triumph not only uplifts their own journey but also inspires others to pursue their goals with passion and resilience. It is truly amazing to see how their contributions impact lives and create a ripple effect of empowerment.
Blessings,
Coach V.
