International Women's Day

Today, Monday, March 8th, is International Women's Day. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, but it is not a well known holiday in the US. As someone who teaches women's history, I've been familiar with International Women's Day for quite some time and thus I am super excited about this holiday today.

Ironically, some of the earliest discussions regarding an International Women's Day occurred in the US. In 1908, in the midst of a burgeoning workers movements around the world, several thousand women paraded in NYC for better working conditions, shorter working hours, the right to vote, etc. The next year, the Socialist Party of America declared a National Women's Day.

In 1910, several thousand women convened in Copenhagen and approved of German socialist Clara Zetkin's suggestion that they plan a day to honor women and women's accomplishments all around the world. So in 1911, International Women's Day began. The holiday is not very popular in the US, presumably bc the women who founded this holiday were so closely aligned with socialists. In many countries around the world, however, it is a big holiday, with schools out, celebrations,etc. Some countries celebrate more it as a Valentine's and Mother's Day, others use the day to honor women's achievements.

I am in a country that celebrates this holiday, and I have always wanted to be in a country that celebrates it on this particular day. Thus, today I will celebrate!

Andriy returned my call this AM with happy wishes for International Women's Day. He and Veronica and I went to Soho, the nail and hair salon in our neighborhood. Veronica explained what I wanted and I proceeded to get a haircut and a manicure. They were passing around Valentine-looking chocolates, which are big here on IWD. On IWD, women receive cards, chocolates, small gifts, etc. and all classes were cancelled at the university. That was a bit surprising to me, but I won't complain! 

I feel very Ukrainian now. My haircut looks more like the women here and my French manicure has an added small line of silver glitter next to the white part. Awesome. Very Ukrainian. Best of all, it was so incredibly reasonable. Haircut and manicure equalled $8.75 USD. Come to think of it, reasonable doesn't even do that figure justice.

Then I went to Olgy Koblianski, the pedestrian street with lots of shops. I bought myself a dress, had coffee/tea, and then went into what looked like a nice restaurant on that street. I had challenges with communication and there was no menu in English and no server who spoke a lick of English so after perusing the menu in the lobby we decided we would just end up causing too much of a challenge, for us and for them if we stayed. I suggested Reflection, which ended up being great. The salads there are awesome, and my salmon tonight was terrific. Plus, they had a complimentary photographer there and they handed out calla lilies to all the women. It was really nice to be out and about today on this holiday...to see couples walking, groups of young women going out together, families eating out, people selling flowers on the street and women everywhere carrying flowers they have received... I felt privileged to have observed this holiday here.

Happy International Women's Day!!