Moe Samae Luchee Prasnik
S Prasnikom ladies!
Tomorrow is a little known holiday outside of the Former Soviet Union. It is International Women's Day, a holiday, as it turns out, that was invented in the United States!
I have been curious about the origination of this holiday since last year, when I experienced my first Women's Day, unknowing to how BIG this holiday is here in Ukraine and how surprised all Ukrainians were to learn that we do not celebrate it in America (after all it is International Women's Day.)
At the English club in town last night I asked if anyone could tell me a bit about where this holiday came from and how it came to be celebrated. I just always associated it with the Communist Party and as a day to remember the fairer workers.
But lo and behold, in 1909 the Socialist Party of America observed this holiday first on February 28th and supposedly women actually celebrated this holiday for the next 4 years.
Granted, there were probably only something like 1,000 Socialists in America, and of that 1,000, maybe like 5 women total (remember, women couldn't even vote until 1920) but still, it's quite an accomplishment considering how popular this holiday continues to be today.
In 1917, the frustrated women in Russia decided to strike on the last Sunday in February hoping to gain "bread and peace," as so many men had died on the front and things were generally going to pot at home. While political leaders opposed the timing of the strike, the women did it anyway and four days later, the tsar was forced to abdicate this throne. Conincidence? I think not. Never mess with angry Russian women who want food for their families. The strike fell on March 8th (by our calendar, not the old Russian one) and so here the direct historical connections to today can be seen.
While March 8th is a day off for everyone, many celebrations begin on the 7th and continue to the 9th. For instance, my university is closed both on Women's Day and the day after. Yesterday there was a concert for the students and today there was one for the teachers that included giving out presents to all the females in the room! Yay!
See, that is the beauty of International Women's Day. It does not only acknowledge Mother's as special women, but every female in the society. Students are expected to give all their female teachers presents (usually together as a class), colleagues are to give gifts to their female coworkers, and the men in the family on the 8th are expected to do the work around the house. The gifts are typically small, flowers, candies, and small trinkets. For example, I baked some chocolate chip cookies for my faculty as a way of contributing.
While it is my favorite holiday in Ukraine, someone did point out recently how it is not necessarily to be confused with some forward thinking views on women or equality. The day is often times used and abused as a day to drink alcohol. Traditional gender roles still very much apply in this country and the women in my master students class would not even concede to date a man who would treat them well and with respect if he made less money than they did.
Even still, I consider this holiday a good thing and a way of acknowledging all the little things that the many women in this country bring to others' lives. I hope that you take some time today to think about and be thankful for the women who have helped you, inspired you, worked with you, and loved you.
Tomorrow is a little known holiday outside of the Former Soviet Union. It is International Women's Day, a holiday, as it turns out, that was invented in the United States!
I have been curious about the origination of this holiday since last year, when I experienced my first Women's Day, unknowing to how BIG this holiday is here in Ukraine and how surprised all Ukrainians were to learn that we do not celebrate it in America (after all it is International Women's Day.)
At the English club in town last night I asked if anyone could tell me a bit about where this holiday came from and how it came to be celebrated. I just always associated it with the Communist Party and as a day to remember the fairer workers.
But lo and behold, in 1909 the Socialist Party of America observed this holiday first on February 28th and supposedly women actually celebrated this holiday for the next 4 years.
Granted, there were probably only something like 1,000 Socialists in America, and of that 1,000, maybe like 5 women total (remember, women couldn't even vote until 1920) but still, it's quite an accomplishment considering how popular this holiday continues to be today.
In 1917, the frustrated women in Russia decided to strike on the last Sunday in February hoping to gain "bread and peace," as so many men had died on the front and things were generally going to pot at home. While political leaders opposed the timing of the strike, the women did it anyway and four days later, the tsar was forced to abdicate this throne. Conincidence? I think not. Never mess with angry Russian women who want food for their families. The strike fell on March 8th (by our calendar, not the old Russian one) and so here the direct historical connections to today can be seen.
While March 8th is a day off for everyone, many celebrations begin on the 7th and continue to the 9th. For instance, my university is closed both on Women's Day and the day after. Yesterday there was a concert for the students and today there was one for the teachers that included giving out presents to all the females in the room! Yay!
See, that is the beauty of International Women's Day. It does not only acknowledge Mother's as special women, but every female in the society. Students are expected to give all their female teachers presents (usually together as a class), colleagues are to give gifts to their female coworkers, and the men in the family on the 8th are expected to do the work around the house. The gifts are typically small, flowers, candies, and small trinkets. For example, I baked some chocolate chip cookies for my faculty as a way of contributing.
While it is my favorite holiday in Ukraine, someone did point out recently how it is not necessarily to be confused with some forward thinking views on women or equality. The day is often times used and abused as a day to drink alcohol. Traditional gender roles still very much apply in this country and the women in my master students class would not even concede to date a man who would treat them well and with respect if he made less money than they did.
Even still, I consider this holiday a good thing and a way of acknowledging all the little things that the many women in this country bring to others' lives. I hope that you take some time today to think about and be thankful for the women who have helped you, inspired you, worked with you, and loved you.
posted by Molly | 8:53 AM
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