Every March 8th, my feeds fill up with brands posting stock photos of smiling women, a generic “Happy International Women’s Day!” caption, and maybe a pastel-colored graphic about empowerment or a quote from a female exec. International Women’s Day (IWD) didn’t start as a celebration. It started as a protest. It’s evolved into nice words and pink graphics and it makes me rage-y every year. We’re not angry enough anymore, we’ve turned this day into a marketing exercise.
I’ve heard about how in 1917, women in Russia took to the streets demanding better working conditions, the right to vote, and an end to war. Their strike led to progress. That’s the energy IWD was built on. So when did it turn into a marketing opportunity and scheduled post on a corporate calendar?
Have women achieved equality? No.
Are we paid the same as men? No.
Are we equally represented in rooms where decisions are made? Fuck no.
Is this inequality getting worse? Unfortunately, yes
And on March 8th, we’re being handed “girl boss” slogans and 10% off sales in the name of progress. Goody.
The Bad Sandwich of Millennial Womanhood
I’ve had conversations recently about how millennial women are the soggy tomato a bad sandwich. We grew up hearing “you can be anything” while also absorbing the message that we had to do everything. We are applauded for taking on more responsibility, but nothing gets redistributed. The more tired, the more burnt out, the more we are celebrated.
We were raised to break barriers, yet we still get talked over and dismissed. We were told to shatter glass ceilings, but we’re left to sweep up the shards. And get the kids to bed at the same time.
Most days I’m too tired to be mad but as we watch International Women’s Day morph into a feel-good celebration instead of what it should be: a day to demand progress, I feel my ceiling smashing adrenaline pumping.
Support Women, Loudly (and Locally where possible)
Instead of waiting for the world to change, keep going. Here are my calls to action. They’re easy and you can start today.
- Support women-led businesses. Buy from them, promote them, invest in them.
- Like, share, and amplify women’s voices. Social media algorithms are stacked against women-led businesses and female founders. Hand some likes out.
- Say another woman’s name in a room full of opportunities. Recommend her. Advocate for her.
- Make space. More seats at the table, more funding for women entrepreneurs, more power in leadership.
- Include all women. There is space and opportunity for all women. Choose women who don’t look like you, talk like you or come from where you come from. Lift marginalized women up and hear their stories.
- Learn from one another. Listen to the stories of other women, learn from them and be open to evolving the way you think.
Shoutout to two Women-Led Organizations Supporting Mothers
If you’re looking for places that are actually moving the needle for women, check out:
- Maturn – Changing the way we support working mothers by advocating for better parental leave, workplace policies and open conversations.
- The Debut Co. – A network and resource hub for women founders and business leaders, making sure our future doesn’t simply accommodate or include mothers, but champions them.
We have to work alongside each other to make equality, acceptance, women’s and mother’s rights a reality.
Recognize, Rest, React
We have come a long way. But we are not done (we never will be). Recognize the wins, take a moment to rest, then get back in the fight and bring others with you. International Women’s Day is not a hashtag, it’s a call to action.
