Not only is March Women’s History Month, but on March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day established over a century ago to honor the achievements of women and to promote gender equality around the world. These national holidays serve as a reminder of how far we have come, but also how far we still must go to see social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women are recognized globally.
This year’s theme is #EachforEqual; drawing a spotlight on that fact that an equal world is an enabled world. By highlighting this theme, International Women’s Day states that “we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.”
To inspire you, we rounded-up features that celebrate exceptional women, plus we’re sharing ways to celebrate and honor the day, around Chicago and at home.
Be Inspired: 7 Women Shaking Up Chicago’s Cocktail Scene
Using the term “badass” to describe women who are successful in professions previously thought of as a dude’s domain has always bothered us. It seems like a bit of a copout — a too-easy description: “That lady butcher (welder, weightlifter, etc.) is badass.” It felt a bit dismissive, to be honest, as if women have to be tough or intimidating to be respected by their peers. But then we consulted Urban Dictionary, where it’s defined as “a general term to describe behavior that is fearless, authentic, compassionate, and ethical,” and we’re good with that, actually.
These women are all of that: fearless in confronting challenges and expectations; authentic in their passion for hospitality and educating people about craft beverages; compassionate in how they treat both the people they work with, and those they serve; and ethical in manner and outlook. Read more.
Read: Women’s History Month – 8 Nonfiction Books That Highlight Awesome Women
Women are often left out of history books, but fortunately there are plenty of quality books that cover a variety of areas that women have been pioneering. Whether it is science or sports or civil rights, women are on the front lines and making a difference in this world. Here are eight books to read this month. Read more.
Mingle: Dine Out for a Good Cause
The following restaurants will be donating $1 from every entree on March 8 to Women in Hospitality United, an organization that builds community in the hospitality industry by creating safer spaces to gather, providing education and mentorship:
Be Inspired: 9 Inspiring Women to Celebrate on International Women’s Day (and Every Day!)
Women’s rights have been at the forefront of the news this year, after hundreds of women came forward to expose sexual abuse in Hollywood, to fight pay disparities in the workplace, and to march together. Although women are raising their voices, and powerful men have been removed from their positions as a result, there is still much to be done to fight sexism and create equal working, economic, and social conditions for women. These are the women in politics, journalism, Hollywood, and sports who inspired us this year. Read more.
Watch: UN Women’s Virtual Reality Film Series -Women Human Rights Activists
Every day, women human rights defenders and activists fight for the rights and freedoms of women and all individuals. In the course of their work to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, these activists face violence, discrimination and intimidation. These four films, produced by Google with the support of UN Women and Vital Voices, give a tiny glimpse into the experiences of four activists who are fighting to ensure no woman is left behind. Read more.
Be Inspired: Women at the Top of Their Game Share Their Best Tips for Success in Work and Life
On the heels of our 2019 Most Powerful Women list, we gathered at Rise Interactive for a celebration of “Women on the Rise.” Over 130 guests raised a glass of rosé to toast to inspiring females as a panel of influential CEOs, founders, and directors shared their career wisdom with the group.
If you are looking to grow your career or your own business, here is some valuable wisdom from women who are truly at the top of their game, having made bold moves and learned valuable lessons along the way. Read more.
Support Other Women: Why Investing in Women is a Smart Business Move
As investors review their portfolios for new sources of growth, one area gaining the attention of policy leaders and corporate executives is the economic potential of investing in women. According to Women as a Force for Economic Change, a UBS CIO Wealth Management Research report published in October 2016, just half of the world’s women are gainfully employed, compared to 75 percent of men. This gap has narrowed in many countries in recent decades, but considerable disparities still exist. Read more.
Visit: ‘Notorious RBG’: A Love Letter to Ruth Bader Ginsburg Arrives in Chicago
The New York Times bestselling book “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, has moved from page to an interactive exhibit of the same name, and has made its Midwest debut at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.
“Notorious RBG,” which started as a Tumblr blog, is more than a love letter to Ginsburg. Curated by the Skirball Cultural Center’s associate curator, Cate Thurston, in partnership with Carmon and Knizhnik, it is the first-ever exhibit focused solely on the judicial icon. The result is a vibrant exploration of Ginsburg’s life and her numerous, often simultaneous roles as a student, wife, mother, lawyer, judge, pioneer, and internet phenomenon. Read more.
