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What is International Women’s Day?
The first International Women’s Day was way back in 1911. IWD is a day to celebrate women’s accomplishments – economic, political, social, cultural, and more. Each IWD is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can improve conditions for women around the world. I imagine that it has a different meaning to different women around the world.
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Kids
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- Who was your childhood hero?
- What do you remember about most about being a little girl?
You might be surprised to see where these questions lead.
Children’s Books for International Women’s Day
Discovering Emily by Jaqueline Pearce A fictional book based on the life of Canadian artist and icon Emily Carr
Something Out of Nothing by Carla Killough McClafferty, Farrar, Straus & Giroux The story of Marie Curie – the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (she actually won two). Learn about the challenges she faced as a young woman who wanted to become a scientist.
Check out this complete collection of amazing books for International Women’s Day. You’ll find International Women’s Day books for kids of all ages.
Go online
If you can’t make it out to the library head online and explore these great online resources for information on women of influence.
International Women’s Day (official website) Discover the different events and initiatives taking place in your area and around the world. The theme for International Women’s Day changes each year. What is the this year’s theme?
A Mighty Girl A fabulous website filled with inspiring stories about girls and women around the world and throughout history. Very engaging for young readers.
Because I am a Girl Plan Canada’s site specifically addressing issues around poverty that impact girls internationally.
Grab the cookbook
Recognize and acknowledge the women in your life. Women are the first to nourish their children and we continue feeding others throughout our lives. Have some fun baking some cookies or baking bread or preparing a meal for others. Write a note, sharing how you appreciate a particular woman (or women) in your life and your child’s life. Children are always watching how we behave, your actions speak louder than words.
Make a Craft
If baking and cooking aren’t your strength, perhaps crafting is for you. Make and share a homemade gift with an important woman in your life – the crossing guard, the teacher, the police officer or letter carrier. How wonderful to make a helpful gift for a woman in your life.
Self reflection
Many times what stops us from achieving our goals is our own self doubt. Issues with self esteem start at a very early age. Have your daughters, and sons, draw a self portrait and write a few lines about themselves.
- What are their strengths?
- What do they love about themselves?
- What do they want to be when they grow up?
- Who is their hero and why?
When they are all done, read it and then put it away until next International Women’s Day. Pull it out next year and create another one. Turn this into an annual tradition and see how your child changes over the years. While you are at it, do one for yourself.
These are just a few ways you can make International Women’s Day more meaningful to your children. Don’t worry about cramming all of this into one day. Make time in your day-to-day life to think about the path that girls and women have had to tread to get to where they are today and the many challenges women are still battling.
How will you be celebrating International Women’s Day this year?
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Mandi says
March 8, 2012 at 3:43 pmAw, this is so nice! I don’t know if this is bad but I didn’t even know there was a Woman’s Day. I love any opportunity to bake some treats and spend some time with the lovely ladies in my life, so I’ll be happy to do that!
Lovingmama says
March 8, 2012 at 9:46 pmOh nooo… I am a day behind on this. My Russian family celebrates this more prominently than we do here and now I feel like a bad daughter-in-law for not congratulating her and celebrating her. My hubbie just said that she sent me a very sweet e-mail yesturday congratulating me and my daughter. BUMMER. Will have to send lots of cute kids pictures to her this week =) She is such an amazing women. I think it is great that many countries take a moment to value the roles of men and women. It is important that all people feel appreciated and this is just one way to do this.
Stacy of KSW says
March 9, 2012 at 1:01 amThanks for this post, I did not even realize it was International Women’s Day. I’m glad you found some great ways to share this with your child