International Women's Day: Rallies, Postcard Writing, Talks

BAY AREA, CA – Bay Area residents are recognizing the contribution of women to society during International Women's Day today with a variety of events from rallies to political postcard-writing to talks.

Starting at 10 a.m. at all eight Copperfield's Books in the North Bay, women and men can write postcards to their congressional representatives to advocate for gender equality.

The managers and owner Paul Jaffe wanted to give people a safe place where they could come and talk and voice their opinion without being aggressive.

Copperfield's director of operations Mimi Figlin said, "I want my stores to be part of the social fabric."

Copperfield's spokeswoman Sara Peyton said the postcard-writing idea wasn't something that came from the top down. "This is something everybody wanted to do," Peyton said.

Jaffe and his managers also are allowing any employee to take the day off to participate in other International Women's Day activities.

At 11 a.m., a rally and march called "A Day Without a Woman" was scheduled at San Francisco City Hall, according to Women's March Bay Area, which held the popular Women's March at various locations around the region on Jan. 21.

At 11:30 a.m., a group of Bay Area women in finance planned to coach underserved middle and high school girls to help them develop their personal missions, improve their business plans and help them become better
public speakers.

At noon, a gender strike and feminist rally is scheduled at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco and at 5 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza at 14th Street and Broadway in Oakland, another International Women's Day rally is
planned.

The online community UltraViolet will greet marchers in Oakland with a large illuminated banner that says "Women Strike," according to organizers.

UltraViolet co-founder Shaunna Thomas said International Women's Day is meant to make people aware of women's contributions to society, all while earning less than men and sometimes facing discrimination and
harassment.

"We stand with women striking, for those fighting to end violence against women and for those fighting to protect the reproductive rights of all," Thomas said in a statement.

The World Affairs Council in San Francisco is hosting a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. with Musimbi Kanyoro, the president and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, and Linda Calhoun, executive producer of Career Girls.

NOW San Francisco is hosting an "International Women's Day - General Strike After Party!" at 7 p.m. at El Rio on Mission Street in San Francisco. "We invite all to come celebrate after the General Strike and party (and organize) for EQUALITY!," the organization said.

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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Morguefile image