Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. With roots dating back to 1909, IWD became a national holiday in Soviet Russia in 1917, after women gained suffrage. The United Nations recognized the day in 1977. Today’s IWD theme is “Choose to Challenge.”

In 1978 Women’s History Week was celebrated in Sonoma, California. With the urging of Gerda Lerner and the National Women’s History Alliance, it became a national week in 1980 and then National Women’s History Month in 1987 in the United States.

Cat Cora

Women have been an important part of my employment history. I had women bosses for my first two jobs. Later, when I was the marketing director at a newspaper, a woman editor saw my writing potential and gave me a regular features column. At Global Traveler there are many talented women in all departments.

Chicago Bandits

Outside of work, I developed a passion for women’s sports. Women athletes are as dedicated, hard-working, competitive and entertaining as men, although they sadly lack the exposure and pay. As much as their on-field play is impressive, even more so is their work off the field in growing their sports and helping future generations of women athletes.

Cheyenne Parker

Through comic cons, charity projects, work functions and other events, I have met women from many fields of entertainment including actresses, authors, illustrators, musicians and more.

There are many celebrations of National Women’s History Month from local to international. Here are a few celebratory events:

• Disney’s Celebrate HER Story at Disney Springs
• Smithsonian Institution’s Viewfinder: Women’s Film and Video throughout 2021
• Apple’s App Store will feature apps and games led by women through March
• National Women’s History Museum online exhibits throughout March
• Together We Ride virtual bicycle riding event March 8
• Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon March 9
• 2021 International Women’s Day Summit virtually March 10
• Disney’s “Women’s Day on Broadway” virtually March 12
• National Museum of American History’s Spotlight on the American Scene: Trailblazing Women in Entertainment, March 31
• Wonder Women: Celebrating Women in Tech virtual March 31

— John Wroblewski, online writer