▲"One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman." The quote is by the famous French writer Simone de Beauvoir, whose fight for women's rights continues to this day. The International Women's Day is not just a symbolic date to commemorate the achievements of women—it's also a reminder that the struggle for gender equality, and the fight against sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination, continues.

We look back at historical events and facts about the origins of the date, and celebrate the strong and inspiring women who have made a difference in the world. Check it out!

▲Women entered the workforce in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution and started working in factories.

▲In 1857, more than 120 workers at a textile factory in New York, USA, were burned to death because they went on strike. The bosses locked them inside and set the place on fire.

▲These women fought to get paid the same wage as men, asked for reduced working hours (which could reach up to 16 hours a day), and maternity leave.

▲The tragic incident was one of the first triggers of the women's rights movement around the world.

▲Another incident that contributed to the birth of the movement was the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York in 1911. The fire claimed more than 140 victims, most of them women.

▲The incident brought to the surface the terrible working conditions they were subjected to. This, and other tragic cases involving women dying at work, started to incite demonstrations.

▲The women's rights movement, which had strong roots in Europe, only started to gain international strength in the early 20th century.

▲The first glimpse of International Women's Day was celebrated on February 28, 1909, in the US. The Socialist Party of America was responsible for the initiative.

▲On March 19, 1911, the International Women's Day saw the mobilization of more than one million people across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

▲From the US and Europe, the day began to spread to other parts of the globe. In February 1913, Russian women celebrated the date, which in other countries began to be set on March 8.

▲In 1922, the date became a milestone for women's fight for equal rights in China.

▲In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women's Day. The purpose of the date is to remember the social, political, and economic struggles of women.

▲Since 1996, the UN has assigned a special theme to each year's International Women's Day.

▲This year's UN theme is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow".

▲March 8, 2022 takes place amid a rapidly growing global movement for equal rights and justice.

▲In the entertainment industry, several stars have mobilized in awards ceremonies for gender equality and against sexual harassment.

▲The #MeToo movement in the US spread to many other countries and continents, including Mexico, Spain, and Latin America, according to UN Women.

▲The movement was also a success in Italy with #QuellaVoltaChe; in France, with #BalanceTonPorc; in the United Arab Emirates, with #Ana_kaman; and in Argentina, with "Ni Una Menos."

▲Other initiatives focus on issues ranging from equal pay to women being underrepresented in politics.

▲March 8 unites activists from around the world, and the UN takes the opportunity to celebrate the progress, take action, and help women around the world.

▲In the spirit of equality, many men also celebrate the date to honor women's struggles and feminism.

▲We now celebrate strong, inspiring women from diverse areas who have made a difference in the world.

▲In 1949, the book that marks the birth of contemporary radical feminism was released: 'The Second Sex,' by Simone de Beauvoir.

▲The French existentialist philosopher wrote about the sexist traditions that dominated society and history. The work was a milestone for feminism.

▲The author shared the idea that women have always been marginalized because men of all classes and parties have always denied them an autonomous existence.

▲The Pakistani student challenged the Taliban to campaign for the right to education. She survived an attack and became a global advocate for women's rights. At the age of 17, she became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.

▲She was the wife and political adviser of US President F.D. Roosevelt. As head of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, she helped draft the famous Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

▲Lady Di became known for her charitable work, especially for her involvement in the fight against AIDS and the international campaign against landmines.

▲The Brazilian (pictured in the wheelchair) is a women's rights movement leader, who was also a victim of domestic violence. On August 7, 2006, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva passed the Maria da Penha Law, which increases the severity of punishments in assaults against women in a domestic or family environment.

▲The Polish scientist was the first person to win the Nobel Prize in two different fields of science. She was also the first woman to win these prizes in the world.

▲Her first prize was in physics, for her contributions to radioactivity research (1903). Curie's second Nobel Prize was for chemistry, in 1911.

▲Thatcher was the first woman to become head of government in Britain.

▲She was the first woman to become head of government in a Muslim country. She helped Pakistan's transition from a dictatorship to a democracy. Bhutto became prime minister in 1988.

▲The French fashion designer was one of the most innovative in history. Chanel was instrumental in reinforcing the idea of women's freedom, especially in the way they dress.

▲Born in Kenya, she was an environmentalist and pro-democracy activist as well as women's rights activist. Maathai's work was recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize.

▲'The Diary of Anne Frank' is one of the most popular books in the world and showed the personal drama of the 13-year-old Dutch girl who was confined to hiding in her attic at the outset of the Holocaust.

▲She was one of the most powerful and emblematic women in human history. The ruler of Egypt was known for her negotiation skills, for being a great military strategist, and for possessing high literacy.

▲The presenter and entrepreneur was honored at the Golden Globes for her work. Her speech about women's strength, sexual harassment, and racism was iconic.

▲The Queen of Pop is one of the most successful women in the history of music. It is also important to remember that she played a key role in female sexual liberation and empowerment.

▲Known as the "First Lady of the Blues," Holiday is considered one of the greatest jazz singers in history.

▲The British chemist was awarded the Nobel Prize for her discoveries in the structure of penicillin and insulin.

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She is internationally recognized as one of the most important feminists of the 20th century.

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On February 28, 1909, more than 15,000 women took to the streets to protest working conditions and the lack of voting rights in New York City.

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Argentina's First Lady was loved by the people. She is known for her campaigns to defend the poor and women's rights. Eva Perón died at age 32 in 1952.

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The date is recognized and celebrated in more than 25 countries, including China, Vietnam, Uganda, Afghanistan, Cuba, and Russia.

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Sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination against women have dominated the media agenda with movements like #MeToo, and people are expecting more from those with power.

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In the US, women's history is celebrated throughout the month of March, following the announcement by former President Barack Obama in 2011.

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Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, the nun personally cared for thousands of sick and dying people in Calcutta. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

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Military chief in the 100 Years War, she is considered one of the greatest French heroines. She was canonized as a martyr in 1920, centuries after she was burned alive.

International Women's Day: Beyond the women's rights movement

Discover the story behind March 8th, and celebrate the inspiring women who have made a difference

06/03/20 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Women's rights

"One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman." The quote is by the famous French writer Simone de Beauvoir, whose fight for women's rights continues to this day. The International Women's Day is not just a symbolic date to commemorate the achievements of women—it's also a reminder that the struggle for gender equality, and the fight against sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination, continues.

We look back at historical events and facts about the origins of the date, and celebrate the strong and inspiring women who have made a difference in the world. Check it out!