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International Women's Day 2024 | Women Can Change

08 March 2024

International Women's Day 2024 | One Women Can Change The Whole World

In honor of International Women's Day, it is crucial to think about the importance of this day and its major impact on society as we celebrate the successes, determination, and sacrifices of women worldwide. The celebration of International Women's Day is more than a passing epochal event; it stands as a powerful emblem of solidarity, strength, and advancement in the fight for equality between men and women. This blog article has examined the history of International Women's Day, discussed its relevance, and showcased the outstanding achievements of powerful women from different eras. Let us pause to reflect on the many accomplishments of women throughout the world, give thanks for the strides we've made, and renew our dedication to the fight for gender equality as we commemorate this special day. 

Historical Background of international Women’s Day 

The origins of International Women's Day have been traced back more than a hundred years. It grew out of the early 20th-century labor movement, when women were advocating for equal pay, safer workplaces, and the empowerment to vote. It was on February 28, 1909, in remembrance of a New York garment workers' strike, that the United States first celebrated National Women's Day. Clara Zetkin, a German woman, introduced the concept of making International Women's Day a worldwide celebration during the 1910 International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Actions calling for women's suffrage, equal pay for equal labor, and the right to vote were held in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19, 1911, marking the inaugural International Women's Day.

Since then, March 8th has become International Women's Day, a worldwide movement that celebrates women's accomplishments and fights for gender equality and women's rights. In doing so, it highlights both the achievements and the obstacles along the way, as well as the need to continue to work together to build a society that is fair and inclusive.

Inspirational Women of History

Selma Rıza

Selma Rıza (born February 5, 1872, died October 5, 1931) was the first Turkish female journalist, the sole female member of the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), the general secretary of the Red Crescent Society, and an author. Selma Rıza Hanım, one of the first Turkish female journalists and novelists of the Tanzimat era, was the sister of Ahmed Rıza Bey, who led the Young Turks in Paris. Her novel "Uhuvvet," written in 1897, is considered one of the pioneering novels addressing women's rights.

Ada Lovelace

At the young age of eighteen, Ada Lovelace's exceptional mathematical abilities led her to forge a deep and enduring bond with the renowned British mathematician, Charles Babbage, often hailed as the "father of computers." Her fascination with Babbage's pioneering work on the Analytical Engine sparked a lifelong friendship and collaboration between the two visionaries. Ada's insatiable thirst for knowledge and her vibrant social circle exposed her to a multitude of eminent figures in the scientific and literary worlds. From Andrew Crosse to Michael Faraday and even the esteemed author Charles Dickens, Ada's educational and social exploits introduced her to a diverse array of influential minds, which she eagerly leveraged to expand her understanding of the world. Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (née Byron; 10 December 1815–27 November 1852) consequently had a significant influence on Charles Babbage's planned mechanical general-purpose computer, The Analytical Engine. She pioneered the idea that the machine could do more than just calculate.

Halide Edip Adıvar 

The Turkish writer, politician, scholar, and teacher Halide Adıvar was born in Istanbul in 1884 and passed away on January 9, 1964, in the same city. She is also known as Halide Onbaşı.

In 1919, Halide Edib rose to fame as a public speaker when she rallied the Istanbulites against the Ottoman domination. She served as a civilian under Mustafa Kemal's command during the War of Independence, but she was promoted to the status of a war hero anyway. During the war, she took up journalism as well, helping to establish the Anatolian Agency. Halide Edib was one of Turkey's most prolific writers during the Republican and Constitutional eras, having begun her career with the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era. Her literary output includes twenty-one novels, four collections of short stories, two plays, and a number of articles. "Sinekli Bakkal" is her most famous work; it reflects her fight for women's rights by focusing on women's education and social standing.

Women can Change and Inspires Today’s World | 2024

Claudia Goldin, ABD

American labor economist and economic historian Claudia Dale Goldin was born on May 14, 1946. With her perceptive research and innovative analysis, Goldin has made substantial contributions to the area of economics while holding the esteemed post of Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was bestowed on Goldin in October 2023, marking a significant accomplishment. She was a pioneer in the subject since her award-winning work improved our knowledge of the effects of women's labor markets. Her reputation as an economic trailblazer was further cemented when she became the first woman to collect this prestigious prize on her own, making her only the third woman to do so in history.

Canan Dağdeviren, Türkiye

One of the associate professors of the Massachusetts Institute is Canan Dağdeviren. Canan Dağdeviren, an associate professor at MIT in the US, has come up with a new wearable device called an "electronic bra" that uses ultrasound to detect breast cancer in its early stages. Dağdeviren drew a rough outline of a diagnostic device that could be inserted into a bra, enabling people at high risk of breast cancer to undergo screenings more frequently, after being inspired by her aunt, who tragically died six months after being diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer at the age of 49 despite receiving regular cancer screenings. This method might save millions of lives. 

Licia Fertz, İtaly 

Having over 235,000 Instagram followers at the age of 93 is an impressive feat, but for Italy's oldest body acceptance champion, this is just the start. However, her vibrant attire and dazzling grin became a worldwide hit when her granddaughter decided to start an Instagram account to lift her spirits. At the age of 89, she published her autobiography and appeared nude on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Her goal in life is to change people's views on aging and the elderly by advocating for body positivity and standing up to ageism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Merve Dizdar, Türkiye

Merve Dizdar was born into the world in Izmir, Turkey, on June 25, 1986. She completed her studies at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University's Faculty of Fine Arts' Acting Department. She went on to Kadir Has University to get an MFA in advanced acting. Craft Theater was the next stop in her theatrical career, which started with Semaver Kumpanya. Among the many accolades bestowed to Turkish actress Merve Dizdar are the Golden Orange and Cannes Film Festival prizes for best actress. She won the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actress prize for her portrayal of Nuray in "Kuru Otlar Üstüne," becoming the first Turkish actress to do so. She conveyed the film's intense emotional tone only via her emotions, according to the judges, who lauded her performance.

It is essential to consider the relevance of this event and the outstanding accomplishments of women throughout the globe as we celebrate International Women's Day. If you want to see more women's story, you may like this blog. While honoring the incalculable achievements and invaluable contributions of women across all fields, Women's Day is a sobering reminder of the never-ending fight for gender parity. The statement from Malala Yousafzai goes something like, "We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." The importance of promoting gender equality and giving women the tools they need to realize their full potential is highlighted by this attitude.

Funda Avcılar
Digital Content Writer

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