Every year the United Nations chooses a theme for International Womens Day
This year’s theme is “Inspiring Change” other themes have been:
There have been many changes since the first International Womens Day in 1908, but there is still a long way to go.
Looking at a list of some of the earlier themes chosen by the UN for International Womens Day and noticing how many times “Violence Against Women” occurs is a reminder of how serious that one single problem is. That is before one even starts to look at equal employment rights, the right to vote, property rights, the right to education, birth control and reproductive rights and many other issues of gender equality and human rights for women.
– 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
– 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
– 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
– 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
– 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
– 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
– 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
– 2006: Women in decision-making
– 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
– 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
– 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
– 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
– 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
– 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
– 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
– 1998: Women and Human Rights
– 1997: Women at the Peace Table
– 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
– 1975: United Nations recognizes International Women’s Day
Inspirational Quotations for Women
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
– Maya Angelou
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
– Anais Nin
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.”
– Mother Teresa
“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union…. Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”
– Susan B. Anthony
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”
– Diane Mariechild
“Most people who meet my wife quickly conclude that she is remarkable. They are right about this. She is smart, funny and thoroughly charming. Often, after hearing her speak at some function or working with her on a project, people will approach me and say something to the effect of, you know, I think the world of you, Barack, but your wife, wow!”
– Barack Obama, “The Audacity of Hope”
“People think at the end of the day that a man is the only answer (to fulfillment). Actually a job is better for me.”
– Princess Diana
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.”
– J. K. Rowling
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
– Maya Angelou
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
– Alice Walker
“Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of a man at twice its natural size.”
– Virginia Woolf
“Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President’s spouse. I wish him well!”
– Barbara Bush
“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.”
– Charles Malik
“A world without men would consists of a bunch of fat, happy women with no crime.”
– Jennifer Love Hewitt
