International Women’s Day falls on March 8th every year, though in some places the entirety of March is considered a time to appreciate women and learn the history of the holiday. Some people get caught up in the commercial aspect of this holiday, like buying women gifts or posting about the women they love on social media. While there’s nothing wrong with this, there are other great ways to observe International Women’s Day in impactful ways, and we’ve got some suggestions for you.
1. Follow influential women online
Spice up your social media feed with empowered women of different backgrounds to commit to exposing yourself to different women’s voices when scrolling on apps. Having strong female leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists of different ethnicities and backgrounds will help inspire and educate you every day of the year, not only on International Women’s Day.
2. Encourage your kids to read about powerful women
Getting your kids, whether boys or girls, to read about powerful women is one of the best ways to ensure we educate the next generation about gender equality. It’s also a fun and age-appropriate way for them to participate in the holiday and get them to ask thought-provoking questions. Here are a few books we recommend:
- A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
- Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
- I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy
- You Are Not A Princess (And That’s Ok!) by Mélanie Berliet
- Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris
3. Watch a movie with a female lead
Another way you can get your kids, friends, or family involved in celebrating International Women’s Day is to have a movie night with films that feature strong female leads and positive messages. These are some movies you can watch together to spark a conversation or simply to enjoy some quality time with the girls in your life:
- Hidden Figures
- On the Basis of Sex
- He Named Me Malala
- A League of Their Own
- Captain Marvel
- Moana
- Brave
4. Attend a local panel, march, or event
Check out what local events are happening around you for International Women’s Day. You might find events posted on social media online, through a community center, or even through your place of work. Look out for peaceful women’s marches, events at bookstores, or even a panel featuring female entrepreneurs you can learn from.
5. Send the important women in your life a gift
This holiday is a great time to show the women in your life some appreciation. You can do this by sending flowers, helping them with chores, or even with a small gift. If the women in your life are living abroad, consider sending them a special money transfer that they can use to treat themselves in a fun way.
6. Shop at women-owned companies
Be mindful of where you shop and try and spend your money at women-owned businesses. This might be at a restaurant, a bakery, a local store, or even an online shop, but showing women that you support their professional endeavors and entrepreneurial skills is a great way to recognize how far women have come over the last century.
7. Donate to a women’s charity
If you’re fortunate enough to have saved some extra money this month, consider donating an amount to a local women’s charity either in your current country or your home country. Look for women’s shelters, charities that help women open businesses, or ones that help younger girls get an education. What may be a small donation to you can have a big impact on someone else.
8. Tell the important women in your life that you appreciate them
Finally, you can celebrate International Women’s Day without spending a dime simply by telling the women in your life how special and appreciated they are. Even a simple phone call to your friend, mother, sister, cousins, or co-workers can brighten up their day.
