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Why does almost every woman on the street have a bouquet of flowers?  You are in Ukraine, and it is March 8th, International Women’s Day.   You will probably not find a woman or girl who does not receive a gift from her father, husband, boyfriend, brother, son or co-worker.   Almost every female throughout Ukraine receives a small gift of some sort to show the appreciation that is felt for her.   Even though this holiday is now widely celebrated throughout this country, it was not always like that.  

 

Until the 20th century, most women throughout the world did not have a vote in politics and often were not treated very well.  Women in the United States started speaking out against this discrimination and soon won the right to vote and gained certain rights in the workforce.   This freedom became theirs in the 1920s when the nineteenth amendment was passed.   Before this time, though, several gatherings were held with hundreds of women demanding these freedoms.   The first real recognized National Women's Day was held on February 28, 1909. 

 

The very next year, several women representing about seventeen different countries sparked an idea of having an International Women’s Day.   In 1911, International Women’s Day was made an official holiday in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.   At the beginning of World War I, women in Russia celebrated an International Women’s Day on the last Sunday of February.   In the year 1914, women from all over Europe held rallies protesting the war and encouraging each other to fight for their freedom. 

 

With over 2 million Russian soldiers killed in the war, the women of Russia decided to strike for "bread and peace.”  This strike started on the 23rd of February in 1917, the last Sunday of the month.  This date was according to the Julian calendar; it is March 8th by modern calendars.   The strike lasted for about four days until the Czar was forced to give women the right to vote.   It was not until a minister persuaded Lenin to proclaim March 8th as a national holiday that people began to officially celebrate this holiday.  The people of the Soviet Union celebrated this holiday recognizing the "heroic woman worker."

 

Even though Ukraine is an independent country and is no longer a part of the former Soviet Union, its citizens still celebrate International Women’s Day.   There are so many things that are great about this holiday.  It is like a quick glimpse of spring with the vast variety of fresh flowers available.   Special candies and decorative cards are also given as gifts on Women’s Day.   The thing that I like best is seeing the love that is shown to the women on this special day--similar to our Mothers' Day, but not limited to moms.  

 

Even with all of the wonderful things that happen on this day, there are sometimes things that are not always so nice.   First of all, just like in the States on special occasions, the cost of flowers skyrockets. Of course, that is good for the people selling flowers, but not for those buying them.  My least favorite thing about this holiday is the fact that, often, the men celebrate by drinking to the women they know.   Without a doubt, many of the men end up drunk.   

 

Whether or not you are a guy, think of something special for that special “girl” in your life--maybe a mother, sister, or special friend.   Join me and others living in Ukraine as we pay tribute to the women in our lives on March 8th, International Women’s Day.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go and buy some flowers and chocolate for my mom and sister.

 

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