March 8: International Women’s Rights Day
Through this photo report, we pay tribute to the women who, each day, keep the heart of the house beating. Through their energy, their expertise and their dedication, they embody the spirit of Lou Calen.
Why is March 8 International Women’s Rights Day?
International Women’s Rights Day is rooted in the history of early twentieth-century struggles for equality. The idea of a day dedicated to women’s rights was first proposed in 1910 at an international conference in Copenhagen, supporting demands for the right to vote, better working conditions and civic equality.
The choice of March 8 is linked to the Russian Revolution. In the midst of the First World War, on February 23, 1917 according to the Julian calendar — March 8 in the Gregorian calendar — women workers in Petrograd took to the streets to demand “bread and peace,” sparking a major social movement. The day was first celebrated in the Soviet Union and later in several socialist countries after 1945.
In the 1970s, feminist movements embraced the date and gave it a broader, more universal dimension. In 1977, United Nations invited member states to officially recognise March 8 as International Women’s Rights Day.
