Soroptimist President’s Blog

100 years ago, a woman named Clara Zetkin had a dream.  She was the leader of the “Women’s Office” for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, and she was bothered by the lack of rights for women both in her country and around the world.  At that time, women in most countries did not have the right to vote.  Clara was one of many women around the world working to change that.

Clara’s dream was that in every year in every country around the world there should be a celebration on the same day—a women’s day.  It would be a day when women would gather together and advocate for their rights.  She pitched her idea at the second International Conference of Working Women being held in Copenhagen, Denmark that year.  And her suggestion was met with unanimous approval.

One year later, Clara helped organize the first International Women’s Day.  Its success exceeded all expectations—and 100 years later, we continue to celebrate it each year on March 8.  The good news is that women have come a long way since 1910.  The not-so-good-news is that women and girls continue to be the poorest, most oppressed societal group on the face of our planet.

So here’s my dream.  My dream is that someday, women and girls everywhere in the world will be free from poverty, free from violence, free from discrimination, and free from injustice.  My dream is that someday, International Women’s Day will be a different kind of celebration, because our work to improve the lives of women and girls will be done.

As a Soroptimist, I am doing my part to make that dream a reality.  Other Soroptimists like me are doing their part too.  And I know that we are not alone—there are other people out there doing what they can to make the world better for women and girls.

Are you doing your part?