The Philanthropist Diaries // International Women's Day

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. This post was previously published on 3.8.13. //

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights" -- Gloria Steinem

Today is International Women's Day, a celebration of women and girls around the world. Take a moment out of your day to read up on the history of International Women's Day:

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

While the struggle for equality still exists, International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to honor the women in your life.  Call your mom, send an email to your girlfriends, say thank you to the women you work with.  Remember the women who have battled before us, but recognize the fight isn't over.  Celebrate their achievements and the achievements yet to come for women and girls.