Happy IWD

Today is International Women's Day, which, believe it or not, has been observed since the early 1900s (although it was called Working Women's Day back then).

I like the first moniker, but I guess you can easily drop the "working" because, really, what woman isn't? What about stay-at-home moms you might ask. Cough. They have it pretty damn hard, if you ask me. Escaping to my office each workday is a blessing. Staying home with young children full time is honestly one of the most challenging things a person can do. At least this person.

What about your local crack addict? Well, you've kind-of got me there, but she is probably working the streets, making money the old fashion way. Not so sure about her shifty boyfriend though.

One of the local radio stations highlighted International Women's Day as their theme this morning. I only caught the tail end of it on my drive into work, and really didn't love the 2 songs they played, but what I did groove on was the DJs reminder of what you should remember to thank a woman for. Was it her beauty and grace? Her deep and fierce maternal instinct? The fact that they she is biologically stronger at birth than her brother?

No, no it wasn't. He reminded/educated his listeners that you should thank a woman when you step into an elevator and it doesn't plummet to the ground. You should thank her when you use the latest cell phone technology, and for the Kevlar that keeps our police and  troops, both men and women, safer. You should thank her for some of the most recent advances in stem cell technology, in drug development, and the list goes on and on.

Women are creating some of the most important advances of our time.

There are women presidents and/or prime minsters in all continents except Antarctica and North America (ahem). (Although Canada has had some women Governor-Generals.)

So why has the ERA has not yet passed, and why are girls in Afghanistan and myriad other countries denied the education of their brothers? Why the fear of letting a woman control her own body? Of her earning the same money as her husband? It's baffling. (But, hey at least we've got the Violence Against Women Act reauthorized.)

I'm a woman. I have 3 daughters. This shit matters to me.

I agree with Hillary:

And Bill:

I hope you do too.

So, happy International Women's Day to you from me, with deep-felt gratitude to all the incredible women (and men) who have sacrificed to move us forward, inch by inch, day by day, milestone by milestone.