Women's Day Celebration to Share

 "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."
                                                                                                      - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Women's Day preparations are in full swing, not only on our farm but across the flower industry.

According to the United Nations, International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

Here at home in the United States, we just refer to it as Women's Day, since this is where the holiday started in 1909.

My first encounter with Women's Day was about 10 years ago while serving in the United States Peace Corps. I was serving in the island nation of Kiribati which is a series of low lying atolls about half way between Hawaii and Fiji.  On the surface you may think this sounds like a pretty sweet assignment, and I won't lie to you some days were absolutely ideal, however, the reality of living on a desert island has some big challenges to face on a daily level.

Tulips in the sand

Start with no electricity and no plumbing. Then add no fresh running water, such as a stream or pond and no spot on the island higher than 4 feet above sea level. Being literally a desert island, the flora and fauna growing is very limited, since "soil" was very rare. The Kiribati people are of Micronesian decent, and they live a very unique lifestyle and have developed amazing skill sets to be able to live in this beautiful, but very desolate place.

Women's Day is celebrated as a huge event in Kiribati. It is probably the third biggest holiday of the year, behind their Independence celebration in mid-July and Christmas. The entire country slows nearly to a halt for several days of  honoring and recognizing the contributions of  women to Kiribati society.

The role of women in Kiribati culture is not an easy one. It is an extremely patriarchal society and women have a very tough situation. On the days surrounding March 8th, however, women get the spotlight.

Parrot Tulips on a deserted beach.

I was invited to a "botaki" which is basically a formal party. I had been to many botakis before, they followed a usual course, speeches, dancing, food, more dancing, and more speeches. Usually these events are led by men and take about four hours. For the Women's Day botaki everything was different. The women led the event and made the speeches, and where usually only men could ask a woman to dance, now women were able to ask men to dance.  As the special guest at the function, this meant my dance card was full.

One of the most wonderful parts of Kiribati culture is there reverence for their elders, and on this day the old women of the village are the most honored guests. Keep in mind that the average life expectancy for a women in Kiribati is about 62, and for a man is 58. So as a woman walking with a cane in her late 60s asks you to dance, it is an honor to accept. For most dancing at a botaki, everyone is dancing at once, but when this woman rose to her feat and came to ask me to dance, everyone else deferred, and we were given the floor.

Orange Princess Fancy Tulip

In social Kiribati dancing, couples do not touch, in fact eye contact can speak volumes. This was why I was shocked when this elderly woman basically bear hugged me, and to the delight of the entire village, danced me around the maniaba as I blushed head to toe.

This was my introduction to Women's Day. A day where regardless of your age, social standing or gender you take a few moments to show your appreciation, respect and love for the women in your life.

Make sure your bring all the women in your life flowers this Saturday, March 8th.