Friday, March 6, 2015
International Women's Day Celebration
International Women's Day, traditionally celebrated on March 8th each year, marks the economic, political and social achievements of women around the globe. Since 1911, when the first IWD celebration was held, thousands of events have been hosted to honor the brave, motivated women throughout our history who led women's rights change, as well as those who are currently working to achieve full equality today. It is a day full of inspiration and appreciation.
This year, Simmons College hosted the 18th Annual Boston-Area International Women's Day Celebration. Speakers included Sheila Dallas Katzman, Chair of the UN-CSW Cities for CEDAW/New York City, Lydia Edwards, Attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow of the Greater Boston Legal Services, and Anjali Sakaria, Legislative Director for the Office of Senate Chair, MA Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. These powerful women framed the event around this year's theme: Making Women's Rights Real. Today, the conversation centered on workplace rights for women in every aspect from paid sick leave, to maternity leave and equal pay.
Here are a few of our favorite quotes from the twitter-sphere that used the hashtag #BOSIWD:
"Women will have equality in the workforce when men have equality in the home."
"Sick leave is a low wage issue, and a low wage issue is an issue for women."
- Anjali Sakaria
"We must fight for the work that makes all work possible."
"You have feminist solidarity with your coworkers, but do you have solidarity with your nanny?"
-Lydia Edwards on domestic workers' rights
To learn more about International Women's Day visit:
