International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In many regions, the day lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day. In other regions, for example, New York City, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.
Events for today include:
2012 Women's Herstory Induction Ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall
March 8, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
On Thursday, March 8, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Sandra Chapman will host the 2012 Women's Herstory Induction Ceremony and Reception at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The event honors women in Brooklyn who have excelled in the arts, sciences, business and public service.
This year's honorees: •The Lucy Burns Activist Award (named for the Brooklynite who helped spearhead the suffrage movement) will go to Simmi Malhotra Degnemark, director of the Carroll Park Kids' Concert Series
•Juanita N. Holmes, inspector of the 81st Precinct of the NYPD, will receive the Shirley Chisholm Leadership Award, named for the Brooklynite who was the first black woman to win a seat in Congress and run for President of the United States
•The Emily Roebling Stewardship Award, named for the woman who served as one of the chief engineers for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, will go to Ellen F. Salpeter, director of the Heart of Brooklyn
•Carol Cymbala, director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, is the recipient of the Betty Smith Arts Award, named for the author of the classic novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
•The Lady Deborah Moody Founders Award, named for the woman who founded Gravesend and became the only woman to found a permanent settlement in early colonial America, will be awarded to Marjorie Moon, executive director of the Billie Holiday Theatre
•Antonia Clemente, co-founder and executive director of The Healing Center, will be awarded the Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Humanitarian Award, named for the first black woman to be licensed as a doctor in the state of New York.
Join Women on the Bridge!
Thursday, March 8, 2012 11:00am
Brooklyn Bridge, NYC
Make your voice count! Join us on the Brooklyn Bridge on the 101st Anniversary of International Woman’s Day as people come together on bridges around the globe as part of Women for Women International’s campaign to unite for peace and women’s equality worldwide.This special event is hosted by What BETTER Looks Like’s “100,000 VOICES” project to bring awareness to the sexual violence inflicted upon women, children and men in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 11:00 A.M. - MEET AT CADMAN PLAZA PARK, BROOKLYN MARCH ACROSS THE BRIDGE TO CITY HALL PARK, MANHATTAN. Guest speakers include Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International. Music by the Manhattan Girls Chorus
BRING YOUR BANNERS IN SUPPORT OF PEACE!
TO REGISTER: http://joinmeonthebridge.org/events/brooklynbridge
More info: Liz Gannon-Graydon liz@whatbetterlookslike.com
516-528-9939
More on Women's Art here
More on International Women's Day here
NOW NYC (for which I proudly served as a political reporter back in the 1980s) here