Happy International Women's Day!

The concept of Women's History Month is one that is particularly interesting for me to think about. I can't help but ask myself this question every year during this month; Why do we only get a months worth of recognition for our contributions throughout history? Just something to think about. Today is not only the annual celebration of International Women's Day, it is the 100th anniversary of this celebration! Although it was only first recognized by the United Nations in 1975, March 8th was coined "International Women's Day" in 1911 in the European countries of Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

I think it is very important that we take time to look at women and our history from a global perspective. I feel that often times we lose sight of this global view and it is no fault of our own; historically, we were taught that we must pick and choose our battles and this meant putting our international sisters to the side in order to make progress on our own soil. Even though we as American women are facing even more adversity in recent months (what with the government trying to keep a firm hand on our reproductive organs, among other legislative bouts), we should always take time to advocate for women's rights across the globe. There are several initiatives being highlighted today around the world, including (taken from the United Nations website):

• UN Women:
  Events around the world to commemorate International Women’s Day, organized and co-sponsored by UN Women
• United Nations in Geneva
  Celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day with the UN in Geneva (Download PDF flyer)
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) :
  Launch of the 2010-11 edition of The State of Food and Agriculture report: Closing the gender gap in agriculture (View live webcast)
• International Labour Organization (ILO):
  ILO celebrates International Women's Day
• ILO and UN Women:
  Award Ceremony on prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace (Download PDF flyer)
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
  High-level debate: Goodbye to the IT girl: Why are young women deserting technology?
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
  Panel discussion on enhancing women´s access to education, science and technology for economic growth and development
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
  How can we empower women to end poverty?
  Live twitter chat with UNDP chief Helen Clark
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP):
  Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day (Download PDF flyer)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
  UNESCO celebrates International Women's Day 2011 (Download PDF Brochure)
  Launch of the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2011 "The Hidden Crisis: Armed Conflict and Education" (View live webcast)
  UNESCO launches Women Make the News 2011
• World Health Organization (WHO):
  100th anniversary of International Women's Day
• United Nations lnformation Service (UNIS) Vienna:
  Panel discussion on "100 Years International Women’s Day: Time to celebrate? Achievements and Prospects" (Download PDF flyer)
• United Nations Regional lnformation Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC):
  International Women's Day Event in Brussels

The General Assembly of the United Nations describes the symbolic meaning of International Women's Day:
"It is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change."


I encourage you all to take the time out today to look at what is going on around the world and acknowledge how women from all nations and walks of life have worked hard to overcome strong adversity.