Happy International Woman’s Day!!!

That’s right. Sunday is International Woman’s Day 2009. I didn’t know much about it until last year when I was talking with a friend who had received flowers for this holiday. The conversation was less than enlightening and went something like this.

• Me:  Oh cool flowers. What’s the occasion?
• Her:  Thanks. International Woman’s Day.
• Me:  What??
• Her:  International Woman’s Day. It’s pretty awesome.
• Me:  What is it?
• Her:  *Blah blah blah* Google it.

Anyway, I took her advice and got some pretty good information. Check it out! International Woman’s Day has been around since the early 1900s. Can you imagine celebrating something like this when women weren’t allowed to vote? This was a severely restricted time for women. That took a lot of guts! Sometimes I just want to hug the women that came before us and tell them thanks for making it possible for us to be who we are.

IWD has been celebrated on March 8th of every year since 1913. That happens to fall on a Sunday this year so I recommend sending flowers a day or two early. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Even better, it’s a wonderful gesture to receive flowers from a sorority sister, secret sister or secret pal, husband, best friend or relative.

To celebrate together is an amazing thing. To stand up and acknowledge the things that our ancestors have done is incredible. To sit down together and enjoy being able to work normal hours for nearly identical pay is another thing for which to be thankful. Much in the minority among other women, I’m a bit of a chauvinist who tends to side with men. I’ll admit it. Even the ladies that fall into this group can’t help but appreciate the rights that we have thanks to brave women that preceded us.

Know a lady that exudes quality? Perhaps it’s her bravery or courage that make her stand out. Perhaps she’s the sweetest little old church lady that ever existed. Whatever this woman is/did/does to make you love her, acknowledge that with the gift of flowers for International Woman’s Day. Why not? Maybe the compliment will be returned to you one day when someone falls in love with every wonderful quality that you possess.

Get your bragging shoes on. We want to hear your stories about the women in your life that have made it possible for you to be who you are. Who are you celebrating on International Woman’s Day? Even if you’re celebrating you, share your stories with us here.