Every year, on March 8th, people commemorate International Women's Day. It is a worldwide holiday honoring women's political, social, economic, and cultural accomplishments. The day is a global call to action for advancing women's rights and gender equity.
The women's movement of the early 20th century served as the inspiration for International Women's Day. On February 28, 1909, the United States celebrated the inaugural National Woman's Day in remembrance of the 1908 New York garment workers' strike, during which women demonstrated against unfavourable working conditions.
The idea for an International Women's Day was first proposed by German socialist and women's rights advocate Clara Zetkin in 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. International Women's Day was first marked in 1911 after the conference participants unanimously approved the notion.
Over the years, International Women's Day has grown into a global movement, with events, activities, and initiatives organised worldwide to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about gender inequality and discrimination, and advocate for women's rights and gender equality.
The day is celebrated with various events, including marches, rallies, panel discussions, art exhibits, movie screenings, and networking gatherings. Additionally, it's a moment for people and organisations to reaffirm their commitment to supporting women and girls in all spheres of life and to consider how far we've come towards achieving gender equality.
International Women's Day is commemorated each year with a theme reflecting current issues and challenges facing women globally. Recent themes have included "Choose to Challenge," "Each for Equal," "Press for Progress," and "Be Bold for Change."
International Women's Day serves as a potent reminder of the significance of gender equality and the necessity of creating a society that is more welcoming and equitable for people of all genders.
As Women's Day is approaching, I just got to think of all the ladies that have made us immensely proud.
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi
Most people agree that Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first Indian woman to become a doctor. Her birthplace was Pune, India, under the Bombay Presidency of British India, on March 31, 1865.
Anandibai faced numerous challenges and societal barriers in pursuing her medical education and career. However, she was determined to defy convention and pursue her passion for medicine. In 1880, at just 9, she married Gopalrao Joshi, a widower significantly older than her. Her husband supported her aspirations and encouraged her to pursue higher education.
After confiding in her spouse about her desire to study medicine, Anandibai set off on her journey to become a doctor. Her husband then started writing to an American missionary living in India, asking for advice. Because of the missionary Reverend J. Carpenter, Anandibai got into the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania (the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, USA).
In 1886, at the age of 21, Anandibai travelled to the United States to pursue her medical education. Despite facing significant cultural and language barriers, she excelled in her studies and graduated with a degree in medicine in 1886. She thus became the first Indian woman to earn a medical degree from an American university.
Tragically, Anandibai's career was cut short due to illness. She contracted tuberculosis while in the United States, and her health began to deteriorate. Despite her illness, she remained committed to promoting healthcare and education for women in India.
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi's pioneering achievements paved the way for countless women in India to pursue careers in medicine and other male-dominated fields. She remains an inspirational figure in Indian history, celebrated for her courage, determination, and dedication to breaking down barriers for women in education and healthcare.
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