The International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, started as a strategy to promote equal rights, including suffrage for women.
It seems appropriate that in this day when we celebrate womanhood to remember the eternal words of the ever-inspiring Maya Angelou.
While researching the history of this date, I discovered that the Appenzell Innerrhoden (Swiss canton) was forced to accept women’s suffrage by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland in 1991 (yes, 1991).
I also want to share one of the most inspiring videos I have ever watched, the Australian prime minister Julia Gillard attacking the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, calling him a misogynist and a hypocrite. A transcript of this speech can be found here.
Fifteen minutes of sheer force and eloquence, where Julia Gillard is not once losing her train of thought, not once does she allow herself to be distracted by the opposition’s grunts.
When I feel down, and I need some words of encouragement, I think of this speech. An atheist, unmarried, childless Prime Minister woman who was viciously attacked and verbally abused delivered a speech that is a masterpiece in public speaking.
We need to share this video with our daughters and sons, who will undoubtedly face shades of sexism, misogyny or misandry.
As a final note, in Romania and Bulgaria, the 8th of March is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate this day!