Today is International Women’s Day. Isn’t that cool? If for some reason you haven’t run across it yet, check out today’s Google Doodle:
International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 19, 1911 at a time when women were pressing for their right to work, vote, be trained, hold public office and end discrimination. It wasn’t until 1975, during International Women’s Year, that the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. This year’s theme commemorates the fight to end violence against women.
The article above includes an excellent infographic on violence against women. Of course, International Women’s Day is also about celebrating, lifting one another up and cheering the accomplishments made by women everywhere. A fun article published in the Perth, Australia news celebrates women from 10 – 111 and brings a little more “international” to our own review of the day.
So what on earth does that have to do with Foodie Friday? (I really like to stretch the themes, don’t I?!)
Simple: it’s cause for celebration, which always involves good food! Today, we challenge you to take a can of preserves (homemade or straight from the shelf) to a female neighbor, invite a young colleague out to lunch, offer a nibble of dark chocolate to the woman you encounter every day who drives you absolutely batty or simply extend the hand of kindness (with or without food in it) to a woman in your life.
Here in Arkansas, we are fortunate to have the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas working every day to elevate woman with the belief that an educated woman can lift an entire family out of poverty. Executive director Lynnette Watts once told me that she believes “as women, we should be lifting one another up rather than feeling threatened when another woman succeeds.” Similarly, I think women can be singularly responsible, if they so choose, for the happiness of their household, neighborhood and community. It’s a lofty aspiration, but I’m up for the challenge. Are you?
We’d love to hear how you will reach out to another woman today with a Foodie Friday spin. After all, it’s the ticket to everyone’s heart, right?
Happy International Women’s Day!