Lookout stigmas around sports, street art and society! International Women’s Day (IWD) is taking on these and more on March 8th. Keeping that energy rolling is Women’s History Month, which takes place throughout March. Parentology’s getting in the act, too, with our empowering Redefining Rosie series about women forging kick-ass paths around the globe… and in outer space. So get ready to flash your equal sign for IWD.
Flash Your Equal Sign in Unity
IWD dates back to the early 1900s — a time of industrial transformations and rising radical ideologies. While the day is not headed by a specific group, corporation, academic institution, or organization, the day is celebrated by groups everywhere. Many organizations normally select an IWD theme supporting a cause that ultimately gets adopted widely, this year’s theme — #EachForEqual.
The theme is meant to spotlight the importance of calling out inequality. Along with the theme, the colors; purple, green, and white have been selected to represent the IWD’s agenda for 2020. Historically, together, the colors symbolize women’s equality rooted in the Women’s Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908. Along with the hashtag, women and men around the globe are posting images of themselves making an equal sign with their arms.
The IWD site boasts, “An equal world is an enabled world…We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.”
IWD has six missions to help forge a gender-equal world. But most importantly, it’s raising awareness against biases in all facets of life, including the workplace, education, business and sports.
Women in Tech
“To celebrate digital advancement and champion the women forging innovation through technology.”
IWD is fighting to break the gender biases for women in STEM by spotlighting women who are thriving in innovation and using technology for a higher good.
Read more about the women eliminating these biases through innovations here.
Women and Sport
“To celebrate women athletes and applaud when equality is achieved in pay, sponsorship and visibility.”
For International Women’s Day, many organizations and companies around the world are hosting sporting and philanthropic events to increase visibility for women in sports.
Look for events that increase women’s visibility here.
Women at Work
“To champion women of all backgrounds who dare to innovate, lead, and uplift others towards a more equal and inclusive workplace.”
While most people are aware women are paid less than men — right down to the dollar — what they don’t know is that a part of the reason is the lack of gender parity in the workplace.
Read about seven women tackling leadership roles at big companies here.
Women Entrepreneurs
“To support women to earn and learn on their own terms and in their own way.”
One of the many ways IWD chooses to uplift women — shedding light on women-owned businesses who can supply the IWD events industry. IWD focuses on woman-led and woman-staffed places for their catering, photography, and other special treats.
Read about these women-owned companies here.
Women’s Health
“To assist women to be in a position of power for making informed decisions about their health .”
The bigger focus of this mission is to raise awareness about the gender gaps for women in heath. IWD aims to spotlight the health concerns more common among women that go under-discussed — breast cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, depression, and anxiety.
Read more about how we can make our women healthier here.
Women Creatives
“To increase the visibility of women creatives and promote their work for commercial projects.”
International Women’s Day is celebrating women creatives by calling out women’s artistic talents worldwide. From rappers to street artists, these women are reinventing themselves through all art forms.
Read more about women are using creative outlets to raise visibility here.
Parentology’s Mission: #RedefiningRosie
For Women’s History Month (March) and International Women’s Day (3/8/2020), Parentology is celebrating women by way of our campaign, #RedefiningRosie. Our mission is to spotlight inspiring women for 2020. We call it Redefining Rosie: Cool Women, Uncommon Jobs.
This series of articles, slated to run throughout March, will feature inspiring women sharing stories about how they arrived at places that often surpass the very dreams that spurred them on.
International Women’s Day — Sources
International Women’s Day: #EachForEqual
Redefining Rosie