Contributed by Nicholine Akou

The International Women’s Day was implemented in the 1990s by the Socialist Party of America in New York and has been celebrated on the 8th of March every year.  This day is set aside to celebrate women’s achievements in all sectors because since the success of the suffrage movement, women have been distinguishing themselves in careers that used to be designated boys clubs.  There is need for women to celebrate themselves because as a gender marginalized for centuries, they still do so much for society.

Women voices are heard today because of the relevant struggles of women who refused to be silenced. It is thanks to women like Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger, Charlotte Hawkins Brown and more who made women’s votes count. Since then, millions of women around the world have been reforming systems advocating for issues that enhance our well-being. We are celebrating this history of advocacy because it is thanks to these pace setters that I can make my voice heard today.

Thank you, Wangari Maathai for fighting for the protection of the environment by preserving Kenyan forests. Thank you, Hillary Clinton for breaking the glass ceiling in American politics, now female presidential candidates are taken seriously. Thank you, all the leaders of the women’s match Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez, for reminding the world that women are a formidable force. Thank you, all the courageous women you spoke out against sexual harassment and orchestrated the #metoo movement. Thank you, Amariyanna Mari Copeny for fighting that Flint Michigan should have lead free clean drinking water. Thank you, Malala Yousafzai, for taking a bullet for girls in Pakistan and all over the world in defense of their right to education. Thank you, Fidele Djebba, for encouraging girls in Northern Cameroon to go to school.

Thank you, all the sung and unsung heroines; we can celebrate Women’s Day today because of your boldness.

Edited by Louisa Lum