Unveiling the Courageous Roots of International Women’s Day

NEW YORK, March 8, 2025 — Today, people worldwide honor International Women’s Day, reflecting on decades of activism for gender equality sparked by the early struggles of working women. The celebration, long overshadowed by commercial interests, has rich historical roots in labor movements, particularly among garment workers in the early 20th century.

The inception of International Women’s Day dates back to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. Their efforts gained traction, leading to the first National Woman’s Day, proclaimed by the Socialist Party of America in 1909. Clara Zetkin, a prominent German activist, later proposed an International Women’s Day at the Second International Socialist Women’s Congress in 1910.

As such, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, across several European nations. Yet, it was during the turbulent political climate of World War I that the date evolved. Protests in Russia’s Petrograd on February 23 (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar) 1917 by women demanding food and peace significantly contributed to the abdication of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolshevik Revolution, solidifying March 8 as the official day for women.

“These demonstrations were pivotal; they not only showcased women’s unyielding pursuit of their rights but also changed the course of history,” said historian Rochelle Ruthchild. “International Women’s Day was born from a moment when women refused to remain silent.”

Alexandra Kollontai, a Russian revolutionary, highlighted the grassroots participation of working-class women in these early movements, stating, “Socialists in North America insisted upon their demands for the vote with particular persistence.” Her reflections remind us that the drive towards gender equality was deeply intertwined with the labor movements of the time.

The struggles of garment workers further enhanced the day’s significance. In 1910, Clara Lemlich, a young garment worker, proclaimed, “I have no further patience for talk. I move we go on a general strike!” This sparked the Uprising of the 20,000, a pivotal strike that advocated for improved labor conditions.

The slogan “Bread and Roses” emerged from these labor movements, symbolizing the dual needs of economic sustenance and dignity, famously articulated by activist Rose Schneiderman who claimed, “What the woman who labours wants is the right to live, not simply exist.”

Today, International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of these historical struggles, continuing to raise awareness about gender inequality worldwide. While advocates celebrate progress, they also urge vigilance against setbacks, particularly following recent political events such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S.

Global protests currently address ongoing issues ranging from reproductive rights to income inequality, highlighting the unfinished agenda of women’s rights. Recent reports indicate that women still represent only one-third of global business leaders and that up to 60% of UN member states have never elected a woman to leadership roles.

Eileen Boris, a professor of Feminist Studies at the University of California, said, “Days like International Women’s Day allow us to celebrate achievements while rededicating ourselves to the struggle ahead.”

Activists from diverse backgrounds and movements are set to gather in cities across the globe today, united under the banner of equality, demanding a future where women can thrive without impediments.