International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide on March 8th. It was founded in 1908 when fifteen thousand working women in New York City took to the streets. Female immigrant workers from the needle trades joined forces with women from the tenements and marched to Union Square demanding higher wages, better living, and working conditions and the right to vote. International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.
On March 8, 2010, women from Congo and Rwanda, in the middle of a violent civil war, joined at the bridge where the two countries meet, showing that they could build the bridges of peace and hope for the future. This action sparked a massive global movement and last year they were joined by in solidarity by more and more people showing their support on bridges all across the world.
This Thursday, in honor of International Women's Day, 'Women for Women, International' is organizing their annual 'Join me on the Bridge'event. This event is the coming together of people from around the world, united in taking a stand for peace and women's equality. Thousands of people will gather together show that they are with the women of Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan and other war-torn countries. At the same time, hundreds of women will gather again on the Rwanda/Congo border where the bridge event originated to unite, speak the truth, and demand peace.
This Thursday, health permitting, I hope to join my sisters on the Brooklyn Bridge. Will you join us on the bridge? http://joinmeonthebridge.org/
Here are some of the things YOU could do to continue supporting the campaign:
1. Join or host an event: Organize your own event. Even if you don't have a bridge nearby, there are things you can do to take part.
Just signed up Sister...I will join you virtually through the ethers and stand beside you on Your Brooklyn Bridge!!!
ReplyDeleteHand in Hand in Solidarity and Peace!
xoxoxo