Today is International Women’s Day, a day marked in a variety of ways around the world. The history of this day stretches back to 1909 when it was strictly a political day established to remember the strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union that had happened the year before. It was marked in the eastern European countries over the decades but only came to popular recognition in North America in 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly declared March 8th the UN International Day for World Peace and Women’s Rights.
Each year there is a theme for International Women’s Day, chosen to empower women or to draw attention to a particular concern. This year the theme is gender equality. A good theme as it is true that despite major strides made in equality there is still a disparity in women’s pay and women’s opportunities. There are many political concerns that this day could address like the ongoing and relentless reality of violence against women especially in our country towards Indigenous Women.
When I started in ministry in 1980 it was still fairly novel to see a woman in the pulpit. For the first number of years in my ministry it was a rare wedding or funeral when someone didn’t observe, “You’re the first lady minister I’ve ever seen.” Yes, it got a bit tedious! Now most of the graduates from our theological colleges are women and many women have significant roles of leadership in the church including our current Moderator. Just the same, we still get people who, when given the choice between me or my team-mate wish to have a man officiate. But, there are also some who state a preference for a woman so it all balances out.
While it does not keep faith with the political emphasis of International Women’s Day I think this is also a good day to think of, and say thank you for, the wonderful women who have shaped my life. These would include my grandmothers, my mother and sisters and aunts and cousins, my life-long friends and new women friends who teach me daily how to be a better person. There are many who influence and impress me with wisdom and strength, with laughter and tears. For these women I am grateful.
Are there women in your life who have made you a better person? Can you say thank you to them today?
