-New Urban Community- Happy International Women's Day to NUY 40+ Readers!

While America is in the first week of its 31-day celebration of Women's History Month, today the globe is celebrating International Women's Day, highlighting the strides made by women around the world in social, civic, political, economic, and artistic achievement.  As a holiday with roots beginning as far back as 1909, it also serves as a platform promotes gender equality.

Sisters' Doin' It For Themselves: LEFT- A look back at the poster featuring the
America's iconic, "Rosie The Riveter". RIGHT- a tongue-in-cheek contemporary
version representing a more inclusive vision of the Ameican girl who can do it all.

Now recognized annually every 8th of March,  the day is not affiliated with any one group, but brings women's charities, organizations, corporations and governments together around the world,  for a day marked by networking gatherings, discussion panels, arts performances, rallies, conferences and charity events based on a central theme each year, with plans to implement change during the year that follows the holiday.  The  central theme for International Women's Day 2019 is #BalanceforBetter, an inspiring call to strive for balance in women's representation the boardroom, media, the workplace, the sports world....wherever women are present,  as the official website for IWD 2019 notes that "gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive". 

The United Nations has also adopted a sub-slogan to serve as it's own theme for the day and year's agenda:  "Think Smart. Build Equal, Innovate for Change" to celebrate International Women's Day. The United Nations has celebrated International Women's Day since 1975.  In a statement from United Nations WOMEN, UN-Undersecretary General Phumzile Miambo-Ngcuka states, 

"At a time when innovation is dominant, shaping and changing the way people live in every part of the world, we have to be intentional about its use to positively impact the lives of women and girls. That means making sure they are not only consumers of innovation, but take their place as innovators...With their engagement, both design and execution of solutions can address the unique needs of women and girls, from the creation of decent work to delivery of products, services, and infrastructure for women in all walks of life... With their engagement, both design and execution of solutions can address the unique needs of women and girls, from the creation of decent work to delivery of products, services, and infrastructure for women in all walks of life."

Germany has promoted International Women's Day since 2011, and today Berliners had the day off as the city-state declared it an official holiday this year. 

   "We're in the 100th year of women's suffrage but we still have a lot to do," German Family and Women's Minister Franziska Giffey told DW Thursday. "We need to ensure that women can not only be active in leadership positions, but in every profession. We have to make sure that social professions are valued. We have to make sure that more is done against domestic violence, especially against women."

Berlin is the first of the country's 16 states to declare the day an official public holiday. 

Today at NUY 40+ , we're honoring the hard work of women everywhere with a FLASHBACK FRIDAY clip featuring of the best songs ever written to inspire and celebrate the achievements of women; the late Aretha Franklin tearing up the stage with The Eurythmics on "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves"

Happy International Women's Day, NUY Divas!