March is recognized as Women's History Month, celebrating the accomplishments of women throughout history, and supporting efforts to increase gender equality around the world.

International Women’s Day has a long history beginning in 1911. The first rallies were held in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland to campaign for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. In the years to follow, International Women’s Day expanded and in 1975 was recognized by the United Nations as “United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.”

Throughout the years, International Women’s Day has brought light to issues facing women around the world including gender-based violence, hunger and poverty. Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated in numerous countries such as Afghanistan, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar, Nepal, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zambia. Countless celebrities in the United States and around the world have celebrated this important and inspirational day, most notably actor Emma Watson as the UN Women’s Global Goodwill Ambassador for the campaign HeforShe, which works to empower girls around the world.

Since 2001, each International Women’s Day has had a campaign theme, bringing to light specific issues and challenges. The theme for 2019 is #BalanceforBetter, to promote working towards a more gender-balanced world. This theme runs throughout the entire year, as a collaborative effort by all.

Tubman celebrates International Women’s Day by reflecting on the history of our organization, the legacy of Harriet Tubman, and our supporters who make it possible so that everyone may experience safety, hope, and healing.

For more history on International Women’s Day, and to see more on this year’s campaign theme, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.