International Women’s Day is a day made to celebrate the cultural, social and political achievements that women around the world have achieved. On Sunday, February 28, 1909, the first International Women’s Day was held in New York City. This spread a wildfire across Europe and the rest of the world as women stood together on the streets in unity to demonstrate that nobody  is alone in their struggles to seek equality.  This celebration of women has continued for decades and has evolved to be more than just a celebration, but it also helps to recognise the significance of many inspiring women and their important role in today’s societies.

1) Lilian Segre:

Lilian Segre is a holocaust survivor who is well known for her commitment in politics and her drive to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive. She was born in Milan in 1930 but was expelled from school in 1938. She was sent on the last train to Auschwitz from Milan but the Red Army set her free in 1945. Her political journey began in 2018, on the 80th anniversary of fascist racial laws when the President of the Italian Republic (who at the time was Sergio Mattarella) made her senator for the rest of her life. She is the 4th woman to have been appointed senator for life and is an inspiring woman with resilience and strength. Speaking at schools and forums, she continues to tell the story of her life and the life of many others who had suffered during that time. She has published many books, been on many media channels and has filmed multiple documentaries. 

2) Hortensia

In the history of the world it is believed that Hortensia was the first female lawyer, thanks to one of her famous orations delivered in 42 B.C in the Roman Forum. During this time there was a civil war against the people who killed Julius Cesar (Brutus and Cassius) 3 rulers, Marc Anthony, Lepidus and Octavian decided to tax people so that they would be able to raise money. They taxed the property of 1400 Roman, rich wives, who had no power to defend themselves as they were women. Hortensia however took the matter into her own hands and declared in the forum that women, since they did not play a part in the war, should not have to pay the taxes for it. Her speech worked and the number of women paying tax was decreased from the original number of 400 women and the tax was also extended to men. Hortensia used her extraordinary oratory skills to defy the patriarchal views and unfairness of the time and bring justice to the women who were being wronged.

3) Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is an American activist and was born in Alabama. She is known as ‘the mother of the civil rights movement’ for her bravery and persistence to fight for what’s right. 

On December 1st 1955 Rosa Parks was riding a very busy Montgomery bus. The bus driver noticed that there were white people standing when there were black people, one of which being Rosa, sitting. He ordered them to give up their seats, and all of them did except for Rosa who refused. She was arrested and fined but she didn’t pay the fines and instead accepted Montgomery NAACP chapter president e.d. Nixon’s offer to help her appeal the arrest and try to challenge legal separation in Alabama.

They both knew what they were getting themselves into, the death threats and harassment, but they also knew that this incident could outrage others and they wanted to be heard.  A boycott started on December 5th and was led by Martin Luther King Jr. People of colour made up 70% of the population of people riding the Montgomery buses, so not paying for tickets affected the company very badly. The boycott lasted for 381 days. On November 13, 1956 the US Supreme Court declared the Montgomery seating unconstitutional (against the procedural rules)

A court order to integrate the buses was served on December 20. The boycott ended the next day. 

So Rosa with her actions was not only able to inspire other black Americans to stand up for what’s right but was also able to actively change the face of history.