We celebrate Women’s Day every year on March 8th.
It’s said to have originated due to a disastrous
event that took place in New York City on March 8th
1908. Here is what was written in a local newspaper.
“Today in Washington Square, the Cotton Factory
was destroyed by a devastating fire. The women who were on
strike in the factory at that time died in the flames.”
In fact, hundreds of women lost their lives in
this fire while defending their right to work.
When we think of Women’s Day, we recall the events
that led to Women’s Rights. The story of women’s rights is a
long one. At the beginning of the 19th century,
women fought for their right to vote in the USA and in England.
During this same period in Italy, a women’s rights
movement was organized by Adelaide Coari, an educator who fought
for equal rights for women in schools, in society in general and
particularly in the business world.
-
1918 In England, Parliament gave women
the right to vote.
-
1920 In the USA, Congress approved the 30th
Amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to
vote.
-
1946 In Italy, women had the right to
vote and complete equality with men.
-
1948 The United Nations adopted a
universal declaration on the rights of man, condemning every
type of sexual discrimination.
For an
advanced class I would suggest that the students chose a
“famous” woman in history and write up an interview with
her. Some suggestions:
Madam
Curie
Susan B. Anthony
Helen Keller
Madre Teresa
These interviews, once corrected can be
photocopied and made into a booklet form for each student.
Another activity could be to make up a list of
adjectives that “describe” women.
Ex: creative
interesting patient
helpful organized lovable
Here are some famous quotes regarding
women:
“Women are the real architects of society.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
“A woman’s guess is much more accurate than a
man’s certainty.”
Rudyard Kipling
“Woman is the companion of man gifted with
great mental capacities.”
Mohandas
Gandhi
A Nice Thought
“If you want something said, ask a man.
If you want something done, ask a woman.”
Margaret
Thatcher