Celebrating Women Across the World on March 8, 2023--International Women's Day!

 “A girl should not expect special privileges because of her sex but neither should she adjust to prejudice and discrimination.” – Betty Friedan

“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” - Rosa Parks

About

International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, and violence and abuse against women. 
Significance: Civil awareness day; Women and girls day; Anti-sexism day; Anti-Discrimination Day

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.

“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” – Michelle Obama

For most of my professional life, I was involved with rights (women and men)...Staff Council, Council for Women's Concerns and through the National Secretaries Association.

During the early years (1960-70s), at a major land-grant university, I saw many improvements. 

• Implementation of a Sexual Harassment policy and appointment of departmental representatives (I was named).
• Attention began on equal pay for equal work. The pay ranking/job classification was updated. Policies were implemented regarding promotion or transfer to other departments.
• Grievance policies and implementation were made to easily allow and review job classification.
• An ADA Director was named and response to the needs of the disabled were implemented. I was greatly involved in upgrades of general-purpose classrooms to meet the needs of all those needing special assistance.
• Affirmative Action was implemented and routinely used as a part of employee selection. As a hiring agent, I routinely worked to ensure that we met policies enacted by Human Resources.
• Through the Council for Women's Concerns, or NSA, we sponsored training seminars on Duel-Career Marriages, Time Management, Inter-personal communication geared toward employment, et.al.

“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg

During the last decade of my career, I watched as new authoritarian presidents and/or line supervisors began working against Equity!

Now it has been very hard for me to see that there is a major effort for America to go backwards related to everything that had been accomplished... apparently because some do not wish women or minorities to be able to improve their life situation as do those identified as preferred by those who see themselves as white privileged...

I'd like to spotlight top issues that are happening in America and across the world... about which I am deeply concerned...

Education is all they wanted... they are being poisoned

“We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.” – Emmeline Pankhurst

In America, books related to history, sexuality, and women's health are being pulled so that they are not available for teens and adults. How are our young going to be able to be free-thinkers...?

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” – Jane Goodall

Women's health is going back to the dark ages as doctor's are afraid--due to political intervention

into what happens between patients and their doctors...

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Fear and Violence has become the norm

for our children and teens...

This is NOT RIGHT!

“The best protection any woman can have is courage.” 

- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

MUST WE ALWAYS HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL?

“You just gotta keep going and fighting for everything, and one day you’ll get to where you want. In a perfect dream, things would be set exactly the way you would want them. But I think it’s more interesting that in real life, things aren’t exactly the way you planned.” - Naomi Osaka

MAY THIS YEAR'S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BE THE BEGINNING OF  YOUR MOVING NOT BACKWARDS BUT FORWARD...

 “I’m basically a feminist. I think that women can do anything they decide to do.” - Grace Kelly

we are one woman