Starting as a worldwide initiative in the early 20th century to promote the rights of women, International Women’s Day, or IWD, has grown into an organized movement that works towards obtaining rights for women across the globe and is celebrated annually on March 8.
This date was not chosen by accident as it was the day, March 8, 1917, women in Russia staged a protest and strike in St. Petersburg. Calling it “Bread and Peace,” protestors claimed the event was to speak out against food shortages, substandard living conditions, and repercussions associated with ongoing WWI.
The ladies succeeded in contributing to the Russian Revolution and the eventual abdication of Czar Nicholas II which led to women being given the permanent right to vote in the country as a result.
During the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, Germany, activist Clara Zetkin suggested the idea of an annual International Women’s Day in an effort to unify women worldwide against the injustices they faced collectively. Unanimously accepted, the first International Women’s Day was held March 19, 1911, and was recognized by the women of Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with an estimated over one million participating. The women were manly protesting for the right to hold public office.
Refusing to be outdone, American women can trace their roots of celebrating the day to February 28, 1909, when the Socialist Party of America held its first official International Women’s Day in New York City. The event was inspired by an earlier protest led by Theresa Malkiel, an activist who’s staged protest was held on behalf of women garment worker’s unfair treatment in 1857 — demanding better working conditions, pay, and rights.
The New York women’s 1909 International Women’s Day focused on labor and voting rights as well as social equality for women.
International Women’s Day has continued to pick up steam throughout the 20th century, even leading the United Nations to officially recognize the day in 1975.
Every year IWD has a theme and 2026’s theme is “Give to Gain.” The phrase is geared towards embracing generosity, teamwork, and a continued push to advance gender equality across the globe.