Women's Day 2017 for Women by Women

Over the last century, women and men have marched, demonstrated, and protested for women's rights in the workplace, home, and government.  Women's Day is a celebration of all that has been accomplished with women's rights, with a nod of respect to the past, and an encouraged look to the future.   

When the first Women's Day took place in 1909, women had very few rights.  They weren't guaranteed equal protection under the law, they couldn't vote, own property, choose a career, sue or be sued. Since then, things have changed here in the United States -- let's look at what women have accomplished in the last year:

•  In January, Women's Marches were collectively held in over 673 cities, with an estimated 4.9 million participants.
• The number of women world leaders—presidents or heads of state—have more than doubled by last year, according to the Pew Research Center.
• U.S. Women were the biggest winners in the 2016 Rio Olympics.  
• Movies about or by women in 2016 saw more nominations across the board than ever, including Hidden Figures, The Eagle Huntress, and the Ghostbusters.
• An article in Floral Management Magazine, entitled Daughters of the Revolution, revealed that "Nearly 52 percent of managerial or professional positions are now held by women."  This shouldn't be surprising -- according to Census data, since 1996,  young women age 25 to 29 have had higher college attainment rates than young men,  and now, the rate of women college graduates in now higher than men. Not only that, more women are getting MBAs, and this generation will be entering the job market as leaders.

While income parity and other rights are still being fought for in this country, and while women in abroad are still fighting for basic rights, we should be proud of what we have accomplished in the United States thus far, and we should honor those efforts and support our international sisters.  Celebrate what we have accomplished, and embolden each other for the future. Honor and hearten women in your life with a symbol of strength, beauty, and fortification.

In spring, flowers are the first to break through the cold, hard ground.  With beauty and grace, flowers lead the way out of winter.  Use flowers to honor the women in your life. Celebrate any woman who has inspired or encouraged you in the special way that only a woman can.

Happy Women's Day, and fight on.