Happy International Women's Day!

March 8th is International Women’s Day, celebrated in many countries throughout the world as a day of recognition and celebration of the political, economic, and cultural accomplishments of women. It is also a day that is meant to encourage people to take action for gender equality. To learn more about the values behind International Women’s Day, click here.

International Women's Day has been celebrated since the 1900's, when women were actively participating in marches and protests for better wages, shorter hours, voting rights, an end to discrimination, and more. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations declared March 8th International Women's Day. The UN provides a comprehensive history of International Women's Day here.

Throughout the world, events have been happening all week in celebration of International Women's Day.

The 2018 theme for International Women's Day is Press for Progress. If you want to celebrate International Women's Day on social media, use the hashtag #PressforProgress.

Progress for women took a step forward in France yesterday, March 7, 2018. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe presented a plan that will require companies with more than 50 employees to install special software integrated directly into their payroll systems to monitor unjustified pay gaps between men and women. If companies fail to erase the pay gap within three years they could face a fine. Men in France currently make an average of nine percent more than women, even though the law has required equal pay for the last 45 years. The French government aims to include the plans in a broader labor reform package to be presented to parliament next month. For more details, check out this article.

Many organizations are involved in the celebration of International Women's Day. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence celebrates International Women's Day each year by commissioning or purchasing a piece of artwork made by a woman, or women. Their website states that they choose art that honors the struggles and successes of women.

WorldDenver is hosting their annual International Women's Day Gala Luncheon and Seminar at the Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center today.