Mark your calendars, ladies, because March 8th is the next big holiday: International Women’s Day!
While its true many of us haven’t heard of this holiday, that doesn’t make it any less important (or awesome). Let’s start out by explaining why this holiday, of all the obscure holidays, is the most important to you:
- A study in 2006 revealed that men earn 9% more per hour than women. In 2010, that gap had only shrunk to 8%. If we continue at this rate, women won’t earn the same as men until 2040.
- Of the top 200 companies, only six have a woman as chief executive.
- Women will start businesses to better balance family and business, which leads to smaller businesses that offer better benefits. Men typically start businesses with wealth the focus, leading to fast-growing companies that are driven by profit.
- To sum it up: men get paid more while women are more educated. Men get the high-paying executive jobs while women do most of the unpaid work at home. Women live longer and are at less risk for violence.
Who would you put your money on?
International Women’s Day is designed to gain the equal footing our ancestors have been fighting for. With a website that offers everything from press releases on the fight for equality to posters to donations to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, International Women’s Day is aiming for giant strides.
The movement has even taken to social sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter, raising awareness by publishing photos of successful businesswomen and asking controversial questions. Even magazine heavyweight Cosmopolitan joined in the Twitter movement, adding in a list of celebrity feminists to the Twitter storm that erupted early this morning.
So what can you do?
Begin at home: if you have a young daughter, talk to her about her conceptions of being a woman. The days of being a stay-at-home mom by default are long passed, and every woman has the right to choose her own career without suffering inequality. When you talk to her, make sure the focus isn’t on beauty: adjust compliments to focus on other aspects, too. Groups like the Girl Scouts encourage leadership: it could be a fun boding experience to sign up!
Do your research: Credible information sources, such as the website for International Women’s Day or the Huffington Post, have loads of videos, quizzes, news stories, and interactive games to learn all about why Women’s Day is so important. There is even a list of events to attend on the Women’s Day website. Statistics are cited from reputable studies—don’t hesitate to cuddle on the couch with your best girlfriends and discuss.
Prepare: Studies show that it’s women’s nature that often sets us back in job interviews: we don’t like to demand or seem too confident. Instead, bring confidence as your best accessory and tell your potential employer why it is that you’re so awesome. Calculate the minimum wages you’ll need to continue paying your bills, and be prepared to tell your interviewer the minimum salary you’ll settle for.
It may be a man’s world, ladies, but they wouldn’t stand a chance without you. What are your thoughts on this holiday? Did you even realize you were (still) making less than your male counterparts?