I remember the first time I was asked to participate in an International Women’s Day event. It was 2015 and I was invited by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to a women-only program which included ringing the opening bell of the Exchange. I was very honored to have been invited to this event which consisted of female CEOs of NYSE-listed companies and other distinguished women. As I ate breakfast and chatted with these women, I thought, Wow, we really have come a long way, baby!
All these years later, International Women’s Day is still being celebrated and has expanded into an entire month of recognizing women throughout history. However, I can’t help but feel that these days/months are somewhat superfluous, particularly to American women.
History of International Women’s Day
The earliest reported Women’s Day in the U.S. was held in 1909. Color me surprised as I don’t remember any special day or month being dedicated to women while I was growing up in the 1970s, nor do I remember my mother telling me about her experiences with such. The first time I recall hearing about a women’s day was in the 21st century, and now in 2025 it seems to have become a cause célébre.
Do these designated days and months really matter, or has it become another opportunity for businesses to hone in on a large market segment? I understand why back in the day, 24-hours dedicated to the cause of women would matter and could be influential. I also understand in certain countries outside of the U.S., that women’s rights are still not human rights, but in the U.S., do these pronouncements actually change anything? That question is somewhat rhetorical, as I actually don’t know the answer.
Hard-Earned Rights
I do know that in my life time, women have earned the right to open a bank account and have a credit card in their own name without their husband’s approval. Gains were also made with reproductive rights starting with the approval of birth control pills; the landmark Roe vs Wade case which gave women the right to abortions; and the “morning after pill.” As I write this in March 2025, we all know some of these rights are being pulled back.
Many advancements for women in the workplace have also occurred since I was born. Prior to 1968, job listings were separated by sex. In 1970, women earned the right to be paid the same as a man. Although, I think there is room for interpretation here as women’s salaries are still slightly below that of a man. (It has been reported that in 2024, women made 99 cents to every man’s $1.00, which for full disclosure is a major narrowing of the gap).
Women also earned the right to work when they were pregnant. I do recall my mother telling me that when she was pregnant, it meant leaving her job. At that time, most women didn’t hold prestigious positions and were mostly subordinated to secretarial jobs, which men evidently thought were interchangeable.
Other progress that has occurred in my 60 years includes no-fault divorces becoming the norm. Prior to each State changing this law independently, women had to prove that their husband wronged them. Lastly, it wasn’t until 2013 when women were granted the right to fight on the front lines.
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
These are just some of the major changes that occurred since the 1960s, and it amazes me that certain rights that we now take for granted, at one point in my life weren’t available to women.
So, getting back to my original question: do these days/months singling out under-represented communities make a difference? I like to believe that any and all progress is made because people speak out. We ride on the coat tails of those who have come before us, setting precedent that may have been unheard of in the past, but will now make a difference in the future.
To answer my own question, while the hoopla that now surrounds these days/months may be somewhat overblown, the underlying mission is for those who are under-served to stand up and be seen, to appreciate those who came before you, and to always look to improve the plight of others. Happy International Women’s Day!
Also read, This International Women’s Day, Let’s Celebrate the Women Who Came Before Us.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Do you believe days/months dedicated to an under-served population are useful? What is the earliest recollection of your first International Women’s Day? What do you plan to do to acknowledge International Women’s Day this year?
