How to Celebrate International Women’s Day

By Hannah Holder
Blog Content Contributor

International Women’s Day is a very misunderstood holiday. The intention of this day is to celebrate women, to appreciate them and give them power in which we continue to lack from many societies, internationally. The theme for International Women’s Day this year (March eighth) is wearing the color purple and promoting #PressforProgress. The hashtag #PressforProgress can be found on Twitter; this hashtag was created to raise awareness about the hardships women continue to face. Women are still relentlessly fighting against:

• The gender pay gap
• The glass-ceiling
• Sexual harassment and assault
• Slut-shaming
• Their right to an abortion
• Their right to free or untaxed birth control since men can receive free or untaxed Viagra
• Being treated as property (in foreign countries)
• Some women in other countries do not receive nearly as much freedom as American women — but some freedom is still no freedom at all

While women continue to fight these never-ending battles with society, we are not giving up. If you’re looking for some ways to spend International Women’s Day, there are quite a few things to do. Of course, giving flowers to a special women in your life or a complete stranger is nice, but since this day has expanded from the first Women’s Day celebration in the early 1900s, there is now more ways to celebrate. This year, you can join us to raise awareness and make progress.

International Women’s Day Celebration in Austin, Texas

• Musical artists will be performing eclectic mixes of original works to spread equality
• March 8th, 2018
• From 7 p.m. to midnight
• Tickets are $10
• Held at the Rattletree School of Marimba

International Women’s Day Celebration in Austin, Texas

• Well Aware is a non-profit organization that will be hosting an event with photographer Greg Davis who will present and answer questions of his work from Kenya, Africa
• Event is to celebrate women from everywhere.
• March 8th, 2018
• From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Free admission
• Held at Gusto Studios

NAWMBA Houston International Women’s Day Reception in Houston, Texas

• A mixer to meet successful women to celebrate the successes of women today
• March 8th, 2018
• From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• At Radio Milano
• $10-15 a ticket unless you bring a professional item of clothing to donate then you can receive free admission

International Women’s Day: #PressforProgress in San Antonio, Texas

• Speakers will be discussing the movement of #PressforProgress as well as discussing self-compassion and their own inspirational journey as women. Light refreshments will be provided
• March 8th, 2018
• From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• At Geekdom Event Centre
• Free event but must register

Dallas International Women’s Day in Dallas, Texas

• World-class keynote speakers will be discussing and presenting seminars in moving forward with #PressforProgress. Food and music will be provided
• March 10th, 2018
• From 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Holiday Inn Dallas-Fort Worth
• Free event but must register

These are some local events I found on Eventbrite and Facebook, however, there are so many more events celebrating this great day throughout the world. There are so many opportunities to be able to educate yourself and celebrate International Women’s Day, take advantage of it! If you can’t make an event, BBC will be hosting their “BBC 100 Women” program that will showcase 100 inspirational stories from women around the world. If we want to continue making progress and keep moving forward in the world, we must educate ourselves and raise awareness.

Featured image by Hannah Holder.