 “From the first settlers who came to our shores…men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
- President Jimmy Carter -
(Upon issuing the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 2–8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week)
 International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s as the world was growing and industrializing. During this time women around the world were demanding equality and actively campaigning for change. In1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
From 1908-1910 countries around the world marked the end of February as a time to collectively bring attention to women's issues such as women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.
In 1911, International Women's Day was honored for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights. However less than a week later on March 25, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labor legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events.
In 1913, on the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on February 23, the last Sunday in February. Following discussions, International Women's Day was agreed to be marked annually on March 8 and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since.
For over a century this worldwide observance has taken many forms and continues to bring attention and dialog to ensuring all of our women and girls will have bright futures regardless of where they live.
In 2024, the campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion. To inspire inclusion means to celebrate diversity and empowerment on International Women's Day 2024 and beyond in all aspects of society.
This year's campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.
Please join me in honoring the history of women and supporting the next generation of women in our community!
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