International Women’s Day: Honouring Women’s Legacy

The 8th of March is International Women’s Day, which recognises and honours the achievements of women worldwide while advocating for gender equality. Globally, the event highlights women’s social, economic, cultural, and political contributions throughout history and across various fields. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s rights and gender parity.

The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 and has successfully grown into a worldwide event. Each year, a specific theme is chosen by organisations like the United Nations to focus on issues affecting women.

These women have made lasting impacts in their respective fields and continue to inspire generations with their courage, resilience, and contributions to society.

1.     Marie Curie – A pioneering physicist and chemist, Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry). Her groundbreaking work on radioactivity led to advancements in medicine and science.

2.     Germaine Greer – A leading feminist and author, Germaine Greer is best known for her groundbreaking book The Female Eunuch (1970), which became a cornerstone of feminist literature. Greer has been an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women, both in Australia and globally.

3.     Rosa Parks – A civil rights activist, Rosa Parks is best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Her act of defiance against segregation sparked a larger movement for civil rights and racial equality in the United States.

4.     Malala Yousafzai – A Pakistani activist for girls’ education, Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate at age 17. After surviving a Taliban assassination attempt, she continued to champion the rights of girls worldwide to receive education, regardless of their circumstances.

5.     Frida Kahlo – A renowned Mexican artist known for her vivid and emotional self-portraits, Frida Kahlo became an icon for both her art and her resilience in overcoming physical and emotional pain. She is still an enduring symbol of individuality and strength.

6.     Catherine Hamlin – An Ethiopian-born Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr. Catherine Hamlin co-founded the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, where she dedicated her life to treating women suffering from obstetric fistulas. Her compassionate work has saved the lives of thousands of women and brought international attention to maternal health issues.

7.     Bessie Guthrie – A member of the Stolen Generations, Bessie Guthrie became a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Australia. She dedicated her life to improving the welfare of Indigenous Australians and was instrumental in the efforts to promote the rights and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Every woman has something powerful to contribute to their community, so take a bow and give yourself a huge congratulatory pat on the back. You are awesome.