International Women's Day has become more and more recognised as each year passes, and here at Recognised we are all for it ! In fact, Recognised is run by predominantly women!
International Women's Day began to gain traction and recognition in the early 1900’s to campaign for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and for an end to discrimination. Ever since, the day has grown to be a recognised symbol for women fighting for equality.
We believe there is great power in unity, and standing alongside your sisters can be a great force for change
International Women’s Day is a day of solidarity for all women, recognising how far we have come, but also fighting for all that is yet to change. We believe there is great power in unity, and standing alongside your sisters can be a great force for change - however big or small the battles you’re fighting together are.
Here are a five ways to help the women in your life feel seen, valued and recognised this International Women's Day:
1. Send a solidarity text message
Send a solidarity text message to some of your girls. This can be as simple as “Just thinking of you on International Women’s Day. I am so proud of all that you are.” Small meaningful messages like this can go a long way in recognising someone - it doesn't always have to be a long essay to make an impact!
2. Send a Card
One step further can be sending a card in the post to one of your closest girlfriends, to tell her all the things you love and admire about her. Who doesn’t love some empowerment through the post?
3. Acts of Service
Perhaps you could think of a woman in your life who is going through a particularly hard time at the moment and think of a way to bless her. Whether it’s cooking a meal to take round, or offering to look after her kids for the night so she can have some “her time”, or inviting her out for drinks - the small gestures can go a long way.
4. Encourage
Reach out to a woman who has had a big impact on your life and tell her why! Even if you aren’t in touch anymore, messages like this encourage and empower women to keep being who they are, to keep using their unique skills and gifts and to keep loving others well.
5. Organise A Girls Night
Organise a girls night to celebrate your friendships - why do we need to wait for birthdays, weddings and babies to celebrate? Despite these things being amazing and important things to celebrate, they aren’t the only things! Why not gather a few of your favourite women and have a dinner party - leaving notes of recognition and encouragement at their table place and raising a glass to walking through life together.
"May there be no daylight between us"
There’s a phrase I love that says “may there be no daylight between us” and I feel it is particularly poignant for us as women. It literally means that we should should walk so closely to one another that there will be no cracks showing, no room for lies about each other or comparison to one another. May there be no room for jealousy or gossip. We need each other too much for any of that other stuff to matter. We need one another to cheer each other on and to support one another through this bumpy but beautiful life.
So, be encouraged today! Although it seems there is a long way to go as women, let us not forget what we can celebrate together now.
To all the beautiful women out there, we hope you feel truly seen and valued today and every day!