why we need International Women's Day

Any holiday that is exclusive to one race, gender, or group exists because every other day is exclusive against them.

Yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of appreciation and awareness for women but I was also overwhelmed by the condemnation of the holiday. Men and women all over the internet used their voice to claim that International Women’s Day is overrated, irrelevant, and unneeded. Ironically, every one of those individuals subconsciously provided yet another example of why this holiday actually is necessary.

If you are privileged enough to believe this holiday is unnecessary, you are also privileged enough to turn a blind eye to the millions of suffering women around the world.

If you are a woman and you have ever been objectified, overlooked, or taken advantage of, this holiday is for you. And if you are a woman and by some miracle, you have never been objectified, overlooked, or taken advantage of, this holiday is for you to use your platform to empower women who have not had the luxury of equality that you have.

International Women’s Day has never been about criticizing or hating men — it has never been about men at all. Instead, this holiday is about liberating every woman because when a woman is unshackled, she is also unstoppable.