When I woke up this morning I saw posts on the media and on facebook about International Women’s Day. This got me to wondering what this day was all about.
Did you know the first national women’s day was celebrated in the United States in 1909, the first international day was 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975, and in 1977 March 8 was declared the day to celebrate.
This celebration grew out of the work women did in the work force and wanting to be recognized for their efforts. Today it has become a day to celebrate the work that women do and how they contribute to society.
I have to admit, I approach this day with a bit of mixed bag right? Women’s rights sometimes are too much of a thing, particularly when they impinge on another person’s rights. At the same time, I want women to have the ability to get the education and the jobs that they really want to have. Should women be able to be police officers? YES.. if they can meet the physical demands of the job. The requirements of the job should not be lessened to meet them. Same for firefighters, doctors, lawyers, teachers, dentists, labourers etc. If you want to do the job, you NEED to be able to meet the time proven demands of the job. If you do meet them, you should receive the same reimbursement that anyone else who meets the demands does. This to me is fair. Anything else is not. BUT onwards and upwards eh? 🙂
Books to read:
These are books that I have read and reviewed. Each review is linked.
Marie Curie for Kids: This was a great book which is actually a unit study on Marie Curie. Digging into her life and her work. Just fascinating.
Seized by the Sun: Woman pilot Gertrude Tompkins and her flying in the war and eventual disappearance.
Bold Women of Medicine. The stories of women in medicine from around the globe throughout history. A wonderful book to read through.
The Art of Beatrix Potter: This is just a phenomenal book. Hardcover, beautiful, biographical, with tons of pictures.
Betty Before X: The story of the wife of Malcolm X, when she was a child.
The girl who drew butterflies: Marie asked questions and drew her answers throughout her life. Fantastic book and I learned much about life in the past and her quest to LEARN.
The Kid From Diamond Street: Women in baseball. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Edith Houghton, just a young girl playing good baseball.
Ellie Engineer, not a factual book, but girls being engineers. A good thing that!
Florence Nightingale. Who doesn’t know this nurse from days gone by? It was so nice to learn more about her story.
Forward March, Girl. The bravery of a negro student in the face of strong opposition.
The Forbidden Schoolhouse. The Bravery of Prudence Crandall, in a culture where educating black people was forbidden. The hatred and strong emotions she needed to face.
Maya Lin. A sculpture, artist, builder. Interesting person this.
Shark Lady: Eugenia Clark, shark lady. She had a fascination and followed it through.
Women Who Dared. Women from around the world who defied the odds.
Madeleine. A biography on Madeleine L’engle.
Resources if you want to further your study.
International Women’s Day educator’s kit. Art, conversation, more Middle to highschool.
Rights of Women in the United States. Pdf. Middle to highschool.
Lessons on Women’s Suffrage. various levels.
Women’s history lessons. Various levels.
History Month Lesson Plans. various levels.
Learn about black women in Canadian history. middle school and up
Some of Canada’s great women. middle school and up
Anyways, have fun learning about women in History. Ask questions. Think. Together, change that we want can happen. It already for the most part has. Let us be an encouragement to each other, regardless of how we live out our lives as women. Because you know.. we rock! 🙂
Photo background credit to Eye for Ebony on Unsplash
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