 
 As we enter the new Millennium, it is important that we continue to
celebrate the achievements and lives of Coventry women.
I wish the Coventry Women's
Festival every success in the year 2000. Lord Mayor, Joan Wright
Welcome to the programme of
events for the Women’s Festival 2000.
Why are we celebrating again
this year?
We celebrate for many
reasons. Women have historically had to fight
for basic rights. Every year we celebrate
those achievements and highlight how much more needs to be done. The programme this year is more focused. The achievements of local, national and
international women are huge. Let's celebrate
together.
WHAT
IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY?
IN 1910
At a women’s
international conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin of Socialist International called for
8 March to be marked as International Women’s Day. The date was chosen
because it commemorated the following historic events:
ON 8
MARCH 1857
New York women workers of
the textile and clothing industry demonstrated in protest against their low wages and poor
working conditions.
ON 8 MARCH
1907
Women in New York
demonstrated on the anniversary to call for the vote for women and the end to child labour
and sweatshops.
IN 1909
The day had been formally
recognised as ‘Women’s Day’ in the USA. Rallies and demonstrations were
held the following year in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the United
States. It is estimated that more than one million women went on the move demanding
the right to vote and an end to sex discrimination.
IN 1913
Russian women first
celebrated the day when it was declared a national holiday by the Russian Parliament.
UNTIL 1968
Relatively little was heard
of the day until 1968 when women in Chicago revived the celebration of International
Women’s Day as part of the resurgence of feminism in the 1960s.
IN 1971
A demonstration of 5,000
women marched in London demanding childcare, equal opportunities and easier access to safe
abortion.
IN 1975
The United Nations formally
recognised 8 March as International Women’s Day.
MORE
INFORMATION: Sue Webb
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