WORD Continues Celebrating Intl' Women's Day

Originating more than 100 years ago, International Women's Day or Working Women's Day celebrates the political, economic and social gains of women won through struggle.

On March 8, 1857, New York women took to the streets to protest dangerous working conditions for women textile workers. Exactly 51 years later, 15,000 women marched through New York demanding shorter hours, the right to vote and an end to child labor.

Although International Women's Day has its origins in the United States, it was not recognized as a day of international significance until 1913. Then, in 1917 in Russia, International Women's Day demonstrations demanding "bread and peace" in response to the 2 million deaths of Russian soldiers in World War I merged with another strike, sparking the revolution to remove the Czar. Subsequently, the provisional government granted women the right to vote. To this day, International Women's Day serves as a reminder that our place is in the streets and that our work is not done.

In the United States and around the world, women have not yet achieved full social, political or economic equality. We continue fighting to keep the gains we have made and mobilizing to demand full equality. This is the way we honor International Women's Day: as a celebration of struggle and a day to look ahead towards continuing to build the struggle for women's equality.

On International Women's Day and throughout the month, WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend) will be organizing and supporting rallies, marches, speak-outs, forums, workshops and panels to celebrate the gains demanding "Say no to the status quo-full equality for all women!" Join us in cities across the country Saturday, March 7 - Saturday, March 14.

Join WORD on March 14 in a city near you or call an action in your city and add it to the list!

Upcoming Events:

Chicago, IL
Forum: Celebrate Women's History Month: Say no to the status quo-full equality for all women!

Saturday, Mar. 14th, 2 p.m.
4802 N. Broadway, Second Floor
Sponsored by WORD Chicago
[email protected] or 773-828-9205

New York City, N.Y.
Women Rise Up: 'It Is Our Duty to Fight for Our Freedom' -- Celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month
with Education and Action!
Saturday, Mar. 14th, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center: 2785 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
Childcare will be provided
Co-sponsored by WORD NYC
[email protected] or 347-292-WORD (9673)

For more information, visit http://www.defendwomensrights.org/