Today is officially International Women’s Day. I went to a program on Saturday at the NY Historical Society for a celebration of this event with the same title, so word is getting around. Here is the logo I found on the ‘Net:

“Today is International Women’s Day, and in fact the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day. It’s a date that is much better known abroad but is beginning to get more traction in the U.S. as well.” New York Times

My goal for posting this information is to have Americans see this day as more important than Mother’s Day, which I have renamed Hallmark Card Day, because of its commercialism. Women’s International Day has a much wider range, since it includes women everywhere, not just mothers. The article in the Times gives suggestions for improving women’s lives, but I have some ideas of my own:

This was a hot air balloon made of flowers and said on the front: Passport to the World. The theme was an international one, which fits right in with International Women’s Day!

1. Provide better quality day care for women who want to work without worrying their children are not well cared for. Child care workers are notoriously underpaid.

This sculpture of children was part of a flower display.

2. Form a coalition of all the different international women’s organizations into a booklet so people can decide which organization they want to align with.

By mixing many different flowers, we have a beautiful bouquet, or a floral “coalition.”

3. Make sure young girls are educated.  Literacy is crucial for young women who want to make a better life for themselves.

This was a giant flower pot, hand-painted. The young girl looks fresh as a daisy!

4. Encourage more women’s circles, something like consciousness raising groups of the 60s and 70s. My friend in Florida is doing just that with great success.

This circle of flowers in the India Pavilion, my favorite was beautiful!

5. Mentor a younger woman who needs guidance in her life, especially a single mom, who I believe has the hardest job of all.

A single, exquisite flower can sometimes be as lovely as en entire bouquet.

The photos are from last week’s Philadelphia Flower Show. I have included them because I believe that as older women, we need to help younger women blossom!

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