March 8.The real story.

March 8, International Women’s Day. This is a day, which I can’t ignore, the question today is: Do we know the reason for this day?

I’ve been speaking with some people about it, friends and family. I actually asked them what they thought about the day, what was the reason or the story behind it. Well, here are their answers:

1. “Without women, we’re nothing, they needed a day”

-Well... it’s not like a need, but I liked this answer.

2. “It’s a day to celebrate gender equality and to encourage respect for every woman”

-Closer, you’re getting closer.

3. “They deserve that day, I mean, just imagine a world without them”

-Oh no, I can’t even think about it.

4. “I’ve no idea why it’s on March 8, but it is about gender equality, receiving the same treatment, and to celebrate all their achievements, and yes, also for thanking them…I guess”

-Yes, gender equality, march 8, you’ve got the main idea…I guess

5. “Women they create life, of course, they should have a day, they’ve suffered discrimination, violence and all that stuff”

-Unfortunately yes and our society is still on that journey, to avoid abuse, any type of violence or discrimination.

We all have an opinion about it, some lean to giving thanks and others to gender equality. However, in a few paragraphs I’ll tell you the main reasons, and how it all started.

The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909, in New York; it was organized by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. There was no specific strike happening on March 8, despite later claims.

Inspired in part by the American socialists, German Socialist Luise Zietz proposed the establishment of an annual 'International Woman's Day' (singular) and was seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified at that conference. (August 1920, Copenhagen, Denmark)

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Manhattan, New York City on March 25, 1911 was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in U.S. history. The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers – 123 women and 23 men, who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to their deaths. Most of the victims were recent Jewish and Italian immigrant women aged 16 to 23.

Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits, a common practice used to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and pilferage, many of the workers who could not escape the burning building jumped from the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors to the streets below. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers.

It is an unfortunate and terrible story behind, but it leads to achievements and a battle against any mistreatment. I hope this remind us the importance of the gender equality, the relevance of safer and good work environments, and in our daily lives. It is necessary to know and appreciate the effort and labor of others without forgetting the real story.

Happy women’s day