March 4, 2013 | Culture and Media, Law and Justice

It’s International Women’s Day!

How to celebrate global sisterhood.

Hard to believe, but International Women’s Day has been celebrated in the U.S. for more than 100 years, since 1909 to be exact. But it wasn’t until 1945 that the event reached a global audience, when the United Nations charter affirmed the principle of equality between men and women. By 1975, the U.N. gave official sponsorship to International Women’s Day—and today we have thousands of salutes around the world. Here are a few in this country (most take place March 8, with a few exceptions):

Online:

Google Hangout: Celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women with a google hangout

Twitter:
- Follow International Women’s day @WomensDay with #womensday
- Follow UN Women at #1woman

Comprehensive list of celebrations: www.internationalwomensday.com

Boston:

WOMEN AND HUNGER: PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE: Enjoy a light breakfast and take part in a discussion on the issue of women and hunger. Organized by the Boston Area International Women's Day at Simmons College, The Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 300 The Fenway, Boston on March 8, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Women’s Health Around the World Radio Show: March 8, 12:30-2:30 pm. This online radio show, in tribute to International Women's Day, features conversations with entrepreneurs, policy makers and change agents who are leading efforts to improve women's health around the world.

Chicago:

FOCUS ON WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES: Access Living celebrates the achievements of women with disabilities while advancing goals for the future. Photo booth at 4 pm, event goes from 5- 7 p.m. at Access Living, Harry Chandler Gallery, 115 W. Chicago Ave. RSVP to Fulani Thrasher by Monday, March 4, at (312) 640-2190 or fthrasher@accessliving.org.

Houston:

AUNTIE’S PLACE INTERNATIONAL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women and children around the world, holds a kickoff fundraiser for Girls Inc of Houston and Auntie’s Place on March 8 at the Belvedere Uptown Lounge.

New York City:

Association for Women’s Rights in Development Walk/March: Marchers assemble at First Avenue and 42nd Street starting at 10 am. They will hear from human right defenders calling for violence-free lives for women and girls around the world before marching over to Dag Hammarskjold plaza.
To co-sponsor and participate, contact: Carol Barton, United Methodist Women, at CBarton@unitedmethodistwomen.org, Natalia Cardona, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), at NCardona@awid.org. Savi Bisnath, Center for Women’s Global Leadership, at savi.bisnath@rutgers.edu.

United Nations Song and Twitter: This year’s IWD theme is “Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women.” The first ever song from the UN will be released and will feature 20 artists from around the world. Follow at #1woman

WALK FOR AFGHAN WOMEN'S LIVES: Women for Afghan Women is holding a walk on March 8 from 9 – 11 am at Riverside Park at W. 108 Street.

MUSIC AND MORE: Join the party hosted by EuroCircle at the Empire Room, with music by DJ Vovan & DJ Max Layn, face and body painting by Elisabeth Belomlinsky, Belly Dancing by Kaitlin. The fun starts at 9 pm in this lounge inside the Empire State Building.

Girl Rising (the film) at Cinema Village: From March 8th through March 15th you can watch these Girl Rising journeys around the globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change a girl - and the world. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez and other acclaimed actors contribute voice performances to the film, which features original music from Academy Award winner Rachel Portman and Grammy Award winner Lorne Balfe.

San Francisco:

A Celebration of Women hosted by the UN Association features women speakers and musicians, drinks and food. It will be held at the Fort Mason Center, Fire House Building, from 6:30-9:30 pm

Women Speak Out for Justice: Join Babae-SF and Gabriela-USA along with partner organizations for a speakout against all forms of violence against women—from domestic partner violence to economic and political violence. March 8 at 5 pm, SF Federal Building (Mission St. and 7th St).

Celebrating Women’s Resistance and Strength: After the speakout at the SF Federal Building (above), there will be a solidarity cultural night, featuring performances, speakers and food to strengthen the growing coalition of organizations for the self-determination and liberation of women.

MY STEP, HER STRIDE - 5K WALK/RUN & FESTIVAL: This race on Saturday, March 16, benefits Women for Women International. Registration begins at 8:30 am, run/walk and festival begins at 9:30. Starting point is the Great Meadow at Fort Mason. Registration is available online through March 14.