Celebrate International Women’s Day Everyday
Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day. We want to encourage you celebrate with us this year with the wonderful women in your life, both on this special occasion as well as everyday! Below is the history of International Women’s Day, ways it is celebrated around the world, and books and resources for your home or classroom to promote gender equality all year-long.
Get ready for celebrating #InternationalWomensDay all year long! Book lists and video resources from @womensday,@vashtiharrison, and @penguinrandom that promote gender equality all year-long. Share on X
Traditions from Eastern Europe
In 2009, March 8th became one of my favorite days. In the US, we celebrate Mother’s Day in May, but since I was not a mother, the holiday was not for me. Around the world, the women’s day celebration is not limited to mothers, but all women. In multiple countries that we have lived in, the holiday tradition is to give women flowers.
Every year on March 8th, all of my students would march into school holding bouquet after bouquet of gorgeous flowers for us. Truly it made you feel like a queen for the day.
Male colleagues as well as men on the street would stop you to give you a small flower, a gift, or just a congratulations for being a woman.
Traditions from West Africa
If you have never heard of International Women’s Day, you are not alone. I had never experienced or heard of this holiday while living in the States. While living in West Africa in the country of Mauritania, Women’s Day is celebrated by having a Sabar.
Relatively unknown in the West, the Wolof and Serer cultures of the Senegambia region use the powerful and symbolic djembe drums to hold a Sabar for International Women’s Day as well as other events.
The drummers use djembe drums carved from Senegal’s national symbol, the baobab tree. The baobab tree is also where the Senegalese bury their “griots” who are the singers/drummers at celebrations like the Sabar.
This amazing drumming and dancing event is a wonderful and unique tradition for women to let loose and have fun.
Furthermore, the vibrant dresses, the rhythmic drumming, as well as the amazing food is something unforgettable for both my daughter and myself. Friends young and old held hands danced the night away.
As fun as International Women’s Day is to celebrate, it should not begin and end on March 8th.
2018 Theme: ‘Press for Progress’ Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There’s a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. Listed below are resources to use ALL year-long to celebrate gender equality in home or classroom education.
Educational Resources from the IWD Organization
The IWD organization has put together an amazing list of resources for celebrating International Women’s Day everyday. Below is a sample; for the full list, visit the International Women’s Day website.
International Women’s Day Schools Resource Pack
This Resource Pack for Schools has been created by IWD for ages 5-14 to champion the cause of International Women’s Day. Using favorite stories and authors, each exclusively selected resource will spark discussion in classrooms.
The objective of the IWD Resource Pack is for students to understand the significance of International Women’s Day, as well as their own role in the continued campaign for equality as they themselves.
International Women’s Day Book Study
The International Women’s Day Book Study provides in-depth material for five, hour-long lessons that can take place during classes or as extra-curricular activities. The International Women’s Day Book Study covers literacy, history, drama and art objectives.
It serves as an exciting and important introduction to the equality themes addressed in ‘Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History’ – a beautifully illustrated book by Vashti Harrison, championing many women who have changed the world and in their own ways. Additionally, the board book version of Little Leaders can be pre-ordered now.
“Little Leaders” Book Study Lesson Resource Kit
- Exclusive IWD Author interview with Vashti Harrison
- “Little Leaders” colouring in sheet
- “Little Leaders” animation
Further Classroom and Library Resources
Penguin Schools brings you the latest news about books by incredible authors, exciting competitions and provides free resources to use in the classroom or library. Most importantly, their book-based resource packs cover texts from fiction to classics and introduce a wide range of themes.
International Women’s Day Reading List
Young readers need access to feminist icons and ideas – female authors and artists to be inspired by, women-centred stories to learn from, and especially fantastic heroines to befriend. From time-travellers to detectives, supermodels to superpowers, this diverse collection includes something for everyone.
The International Women’s Day Reading List is a curated round-up of the best fiction and non-fiction books for raising the next generation of feminists.
- International Women’s Day Schools Reading List (5 – 15 years)
- International Women’s Day Pioneering Women Reading List (15+ years)
KidLit Women
Starting March 1st, authors and illustrators have come together celebrating Women’s History month with 31 days of posts focused on improving the climate for social and gender equality in the children’s and teens’ industry. Join in the conversation with KidLit Women on Facebook as well as #KidLitWomen on Twitter.
Join my Tribe of Children’s Book Activists
Lastly, I invite you to join my Facebook group: Read Your World: Teaching Literacy Skills with Diverse Books. This group was began in order to help parents of multiracial children. We were searching for high-quality books showcasing curly-haired kids on adventures. Now, we have grown into a massive group of multicultural, multiracial, and multi-talented authors, parents, teachers, and allies.
We ask questions, share advice, and most importantly, recommend books and resources. The goal is to educate ourselves. In our discussions, we seek to learn how to navigate those situations of racial bias when they DO happen. Furthermore, we seek out knowledge to help us be strong advocates for the children in our lives.
Join our book of children’s book activists on Facebook today.
Biracial Bookworms
Join me in raising readers, raising leaders, and raising changemakers one bedtime story at a time! Get exclusive content right in your inbox!
07/04/2017 @ 5:05 pm
I’m from both the US and Japan. Neither country really celebrates women like this. We definitely should!
07/04/2017 @ 5:14 pm
Thank you for commenting Ai. It’s time we celebrate women everywhere!
07/04/2017 @ 3:50 pm
I absolute love this post! I have never heard of International Women’s Day…I loved seeing how other countries celebrate this wonderful day 🙂 Maybe one day we will celebrate it more in the states!
07/04/2017 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks for commenting Clair! Hope you and the fabulous women in your life have a big celebration next March!
07/03/2017 @ 6:45 pm
Loved reading about the various traditions around the world and how other cultures have made an intentional practice of celebrating the contributions of women. What a concrete way to acknowledge a cultural value in recognizing and honoring a group of people (especially one who has been traditionally marginalized). I’d love to see the US find ways to celebrate as well.
07/04/2017 @ 12:39 am
I could not agree with you more Lindsay. This was the first year I have seen some traction in the United States to participate with the rest of the world. Thousands participated in the “Day Without a Woman” movement and I thought it was a brilliant way to bring about the social change that is so needed. As you said, women are marginalized in many covert ways and we need to bring the issue to light with more conversation. Thank you so much for commenting!
07/03/2017 @ 5:23 pm
How interesting to read about how different cultures celebrate International Women’s Day! I agree, it should be celebrated on more than just March 8th. As an American, I was not even aware of International Women’s Day. So sad.
07/04/2017 @ 12:41 am
I am so glad that I could bring attention to the amazing tradition of International Women’s Day. I too had never heard of this day until I moved overseas. I hope next March you throw an epic party with flowers and activism in your community to share in the joy of this wonderful day. Thanks for commenting Margaret!
04/29/2017 @ 4:29 am
In South Africa, the ivory tower is bulldozed anew with every black man’s home destroyed to make way for a white man’s. Yet there are positions between the bulldozed ivory tower and the maximum security prison. The one who sees his responsibility in being ‘only a writer’ has still to decide whether this means he can fulfil[l] his essential gesture to society only by ready-packaging his creativity to the dimensions of a social realism….
NADINE GORDIMER
Highly recommend her perspective as a White woman in Apartheid South Africa on International Women’s Day or any day.
Can’t embed the picture but this is one of my favorite profile pics I use on International Women’s Day
http://www.quotemaster.org/images/a0/a062b230352d246efc945672581d0ad6.jpg
04/29/2017 @ 4:38 am
Wow Yana, that picture is deep. There are so many women around the world facing different issues. The brave and strong women I know fight daily in solidarity. We stand with you. Together, we conquer the world. Thank you for your comment. I am closing down for the night and I am feeling very inspired by your thoughtful comment. Thank you!
P.S. I think South Africa is a beautiful place and recommend anyone who will listen to go visit!
04/27/2017 @ 9:21 pm
So true! Women are marginalized in society. Our health care is either taken away or shames us. Women need to make their voices heard.
04/27/2017 @ 9:26 pm
It’s time to rise together and lead the way for our daughters, nieces, friends, co-workers, etc. Thanks for commenting!
04/26/2017 @ 6:15 pm
I LOVE the idea of celebrating International Women’s Day everyday. Even by just showing appreciation for all the work your mother did raising you, by supporting your fellow female co-workers or shutting down sexist jokes, you can make a difference.
04/26/2017 @ 8:34 pm
The small things and being aware of sexism in small conversations definitely make a difference! Thanks for commenting!
04/26/2017 @ 1:51 pm
This is a great post and made me aware of something I didn’t know about. By the way, what a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. Thanks for sharing.
04/26/2017 @ 4:17 pm
Eleanor is a true hero and role model for all women! Glad you enjoyed the article!
03/09/2017 @ 8:13 pm
In Poland it is very popular day.
When I moved to the UK I was a little surprised that here situation looks different 😉
03/09/2017 @ 8:14 pm
I agree; the West has not caught on to this amazing holiday!
03/08/2017 @ 5:18 pm
Happy international womens day! Such an interesting post to see how it is celebrated around the world. It is needed in every country. As a Norwegian many people think that women and men are equal in Norway, but it is still most men in top-positions in big businesses. Thank you for this!
03/08/2017 @ 5:26 pm
So glad you enjoyed the article. Learning from different cultures is transformational I agree! Thanks for your comment!!
03/08/2017 @ 5:14 pm
Happy international womens day ! Such a great post about this day celebrated in different culture. I am from Norway, which is a country that women are quite equal to men, but still not fully there are more men in top-positions. Thank you for this 😀
03/08/2017 @ 4:24 pm
This is so important. The best thing we can do as activists is learn about the history before us and the diversity around the world. Injustices don’t occur in a vacuum and we need to understand the system at large.
03/08/2017 @ 4:13 pm
Wow, I had no idea this was celebrated so well around the world. I can’t wait to get out of the states and see more of the world and it’s cultures and traditions!
Happy International Women’s Day!!!
03/08/2017 @ 3:59 pm
I didn’t realized that Women’s Day is so popular in other countries. I didn’t really think about Women’s Day until this year. What a great way to recognize women!
03/08/2017 @ 3:56 pm
Absolutely loved reading this post, Love reading about different cultures so this was fantastic.
02/27/2017 @ 9:56 pm
Interesting to see how different each culture celebrates women’s day
02/27/2017 @ 6:41 pm
This is a great post. Timely and leave me a deep thought. Thank you for sharing.
02/27/2017 @ 6:00 pm
You totally got my attention with the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt! Although this celebration maybe new for me, I’m glad that we are now focus on empowering women in different parts of the world. Great post! xx
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02/22/2017 @ 6:59 pm
I heard of International Women’s Day for the first time when I first started dating my husband, whose family is from Ukraine & Moldova. I thought it was so strange (but sweet!) for former Soviets living in the US to feel so strongly about the necessity to buy women flowers and gifts on this day–but no one in the US had ever heard of the holiday. At the time, it seemed strange that such a seemingly progressive, modern country wouldn’t celebrate the holiday when much less progressive countries did–but sadly, it now seems that our country isn’t as progressive as we thought. Absolutely, women’s day every day!
02/22/2017 @ 7:03 pm
I agree completely! Totally feel as though the US is the one that is behind in this case. I loved my time living in Kiev, such amazing memories!!