International Women’s Day
March 8 Lets Dive into the Barriers Women Still Face
By Carol Fisher-Linn
Skiing is still fabulous, but spring is slowly creeping around the corner. We joyfully celebrate signs of new life everywhere. Then we turn on tv’s or look at social media and see the devastation and threat that is facing our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Without a doubt, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the undisputed hero, but as I scroll through social media, I find this: “Anastasia Lenna, a former Miss Ukraine (2015), has vowed to defend her home country from invading Russian forces. In an Instagram post, Lenna promised that intruders ‘will die on our land’ as she held up a rifle, The Independent reported. This ex-beauty queen has taken off her heels and taken up arms.” Never underestimate the strength, power, and determination of a woman. In my mind, I hear Helen Reddy – “I am woman, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore _ I am strong, I am invincible …”
As the entire world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, we 170 million women in America are part of a larger Sisterhood of 3.9 billion (or 49.58% of the world population). We here in Ellicottville may not quite understand the importance of bringing attention to the assets women bring to any table because we are lulled, almost into complacency, by the invigorated environment of powerhouse women at the helm of the majority of small businesses here. If we dig further, however, we will find that the numbers are quite different looking at the larger commercial businesses in the region. Likewise, politically, women are not equally represented in either Cattaraugus or Chautauqua counties. Yes, NYS has a female governor (by default). For years, we became accustomed to being represented by a capable, beloved woman, Assemblyman then Senator Pat McGee. NYS Senator Kirsten Gillibrand represents us very efficiently in the US Senate as only one of the twenty-four (out of one-hundred Senators), yet women make up roughly 50% of the population.
International Woman’s Day is more than just a fluffy calendar filler, or another “cause” for women who, for too long have realized the gender-related injustices in our cultures and systems, worldwide. It is serious business to help bring to the forefront many inequalities including the Equal Rights Amendment (approved in the House in 1970) has yet to be enacted. The last 3 states to ratify it are suing to force its addition to the US Constitution. Did you know that? “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” – Section 1, ERA. Until then – we wait, literally unprotected by the constitution. Meanwhile we work to give recognition to the contributions of women and to empower them and provide broader and fairer pathways to leadership. From the IWD website, “International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.”
Well before the more familiar Feminist Movements of the 1960’s, women marched in New York City exactly 113 years ago on February 28th, 1909. Prior to that, Susan B. Anthony spoke of the same issues in front of the old Chautauqua County Courthouse on December 26, 1854, where she pleaded for recognition for women’s suffrage. Think about that.
Recognized across the globe since 1911, the celebration of the day still reflects its political origins, marked by protests, and calls for change, or centered on the celebration of womanhood. The UN celebrates the holiday connecting it with women’s rights. For 2022 the Woman’s Day missions are many, crossing digital advancement in technology; forging inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and they are celebrated; celebrate the work of women creatives, elevating their visibility for commercial projects and commissions; assist women to gain positions of power without bias or barrier, and celebrate women athletes seeking equality in pay (Congratulations US Women’s Soccer Team!!), sponsorship, and visibility. Their very apt campaign theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias. No small task which one would hope would not take another 100 years. Support and celebrate the women in your life; stand with courageous Anastasia Lenna and her fellow Ukranians. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/helenreddy/iamwoman.html.
Continuation large words: “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar”