International Women’s Day Includes Regional Voices that Carry

Although we think of “International” in terms of global continents, International Women’s Day has its founding origins here in New York City. Working class women marched through the city streets in 1908 demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. This event included the support of other women’s groups across the Atlantic too. The movement ushered in the first National Women’s Day held the following year.

We moved the movement started in 1908 from national to international. Now over a 100 years later we have new landmark accomplishments. This year marks the 10th year the UN Women was established, and the 20th anniversary of the UN security council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The banner for UN 2020 is “I am Generational Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.

In the 21st Century Women’s world issues have evolved from city street rallies to a podium at the UN and women’s organization now have a voice with a forum. Important discussions are not only held at the United Nations but at religious centers, colleges and social centers both large and small.

Sussex County Community College has provided a forum for prominent woman leaders to give their lectures that promotes generational equality and realizing women’s rights. This regional arena is “The 100 Women Project” at Sussex County Community College. Their mission is to raise funds for scholarships for non-traditional women students attending SCCC. This project is reaching out to women students who have had an interruption in their studies to raise families, serve in the military, and those seeking a career change that’s quickly needed due to hardship.

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, 11th District and Heidi A. Weber, Ph.D., Professor of History, SUNY: Orange are the 100 Women Project speakers and the topic is celebrating the 100th anniversary of women securing the right to vote. The March 16th lecture had an overwhelming response that registration is now closed for this event. However it is never too late to give a donation to The 100 Women Project https://sussex.edu/about-sussex/college-foundation/100-women-project/