|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Michelle Esquerra (206) 860.1400 x5
RE:International Women's Day: The Global Struggle for Women's Liberation
SEATTLE -- "The Global Struggle for Women's Liberation" is the focus of Seattle's International Women's Day's celebration March 4 - March 10, 2002. Events include cultural performances, films, music, a march and rally, a teach-in, and special community television programming in venues throughout the city.
International Women's Day (IWD) originated in 1908 when the United States Socialist Party established the Women’s National Committee to agitate for woman’s suffrage and to organize a Women's Day march in New York City on March 8, 1908. The 15,000 women demonstrators, mostly from the needle trades, demanded the right to vote, a 10-hour workday, safer working conditions and the abolition of child labor. The slogan adopted for the march was "Bread and Roses" symbolizing economic security and a better way of life. The march gained the attention of women around the world, and the first international celebrations occurred in March 1911 with more than one million women participating.
Throughout the decades, IWD has always highlighted women’s political activism. By the end of World War II, IWD focused on issues such as housing, education, and the need to retain the small advances made in childcare, wages and jobs. During the emergence of the women’s liberation movement IWD took on a new sense of urgency. Demonstrations around the world took up issues including, the right to work, equal pay, equal opportunity for education, free child care, free and safe contraceptives, safe and legal abortion on demand, the end to violence against women, and issues of sexuality. The United Nations dedicated 1975 as International Women’s Year. Since then, four World Conferences on Women have been held in Mexico City, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing.
This year, the women of Seattle will carry on the tradition. The local and international focus of the events will maintain the demands of the 1908 march--economic equality and a better way of life for all women, men and children of the world. The focus of the Saturday teach-in is inspired by the Platform for Action that came out of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing. Through the participation of thousands of grassroots women activists who contributed to the Platform for Action and many more around the world who carry on the demands, the platform lives on and the struggle for human rights continues.
wFriday, March 8:
International Women's Day March and Rally: Raise Your Voice Against the War, 5pm
Rally at the Federal Building, march through downtown Seattle with a short stop at the INS headquarters, and end with a rally at Hing Hay park in the International district. Bring pots and pans for noisemakers. Sponsored by Seattle Women’s Action Network, for information call 206.722.6850
wSaturday, March 9:
Teach-in at Seattle University, Campion Hall 8:30am-4pm
Speakers and educational workshops: Women’s Voices of Peace & Resistance Amidst War; Re-imagining Anti-Violence Movements; Policing Motherhood and Sexuality; Freeing Women from Institutions; Economic Justice; Environmental Justice and Sovereignty of Indigenous People. Childcare available. For more information contact 206.860.1400 x5
wSarah Jones at the University of Washington Husky Union Building Auditorium, 8pm
Powerful Performance Artist & Spoken Word Poet sponsored by Women's Center at University of Washington in cooperation with the ASUW Women's Action Commission and the La Raza Student Commission. For more information call 206.685.1090
wSunday, March 10:
Cultural Performances, Film, Informational Tables, Poetry, & More! Seattle Center, Center House Noon-5pm
Including: Bailadores de Bronce, Beautiful Mexican Folklirico Dance. Sabura, Awardwinning Middle Eastern dancer; IsangMahal, Kreative Arts Kollection will be hosting a Poetry Slam; The fresh moves of Creative Rainbow; the vibrant & inspirational sounds of Anzanga Marimba Ensemble; and a roundtable discussion, U.S. Empire: Exposed & Opposed with speakers on Afghanistan, Philippines, Somalia; Latin America, Palestine and the Patriot Act sponsored by the LRC and GABRIELA Network. For event information contact 206.860.1400 x5
For more information on other events, a list of sponsors or to get involved, visit www.IWD-Seattle or contact 206.860.1400 x5
-END-
|
