Sarah: International Women’s Day This Friday

March 4th, 2009

Since this upcoming Sunday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day, I’ve been spending some time thinking about my favourite female artists and what the day means to me. More on that later.

More importantly what does the day mean to you? Anything? It might be a bit far reaching to expect grand celebrations nationwide but I think much like protest, quiet and personal is usually very effective.

March 8 is a day to bring awareness about women’s rights, as well as spread awareness about issues affecting women all around the world. In Canada, while things are never perfect, I live a rather gifted, charmed existence so it’s a good time to celebrate.

Did you know the day is an official holiday in Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Georgia, Italy, Israel, Laos, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia? And it’s observed by men giving women (mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc.) flowers and small gifts. In some countries (such as Romania) it is also observed as an equivalent to Mother’s Day, where children also give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

In Italy, to celebrate the day, men give yellow mimosas to women. Yellow mimosas and chocolate are also one of the most common March 8 presents in Russia. In countries like Portugal and Romania, groups of women celebrate with “women-only” dinners and parties – which sounds like a nice way to spend any night of the week, if you ask me!

Ultimate ironic and cheezy women’s day mixed tape list? Here it is! Happy IWD!

Xx
S

International Women’s Day Playlist
Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
No Doubt – Just A Girl
Neil Diamond – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
The Temptations – My Girl
Elvis Costello – Pretty Woman
Britney Spears – Womanizer
Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Woman
The White Stripes – Fell In Love With A Girl
Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Michael Jackson f. Paul McCartney – The Girl Is Mine
Beatles – Girl
Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
Beastie Boys – Girls
Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)
John Lennon – Woman