Every year on March 8, purple outfits brighten offices, yellow flowers change hands and social media fills with tributes to mothers, daughters, colleagues and friends. But behind the celebration of International Women’s Day lies a far more radical story—one forged in factory floors, political upheaval and a global demand for justice.
It Began with Workers, Not Well Wishes
International Women’s Day didn’t start as a marketing campaign or a calendar observance. Its roots lie firmly in the labour movement.
In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights. They were garment workers, immigrants and mothers—women who understood that economic security and political power were inseparable.
Two years later, at an international socialist conference in Copenhagen, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed creating an annual international day to honour working women and advance their rights. The idea gained traction across Europe and beyond. Yet March 8 itself was not immediately fixed as the date.
The Strike That Sparked a Revolution
The turning point came in 1917, in war-weary Russia. On February 23 in the Russian calendar (March 8 in the Gregorian calendar), thousands of women in Petrograd took to the streets demanding “bread and peace”—food for their families and an end to World War I.
Their strike ignited what would become the Russian Revolution. Within days, the Tsar abdicated. Shortly thereafter, Russian women won the right to vote.
It was this extraordinary convergence of protest and political transformation that cemented March 8 as the official date. International Women’s Day was no longer just symbolic—it was revolutionary.
Why Purple Matters
If you’ve ever wondered why purple dominates International Women’s Day campaigns, the answer reaches back to the British suffrage movement. Early 20th-century suffragettes adopted three colours: purple for justice and dignity, green for hope and white for purity.
Today, wearing purple on March 8 is more than a fashion statement. It’s a subtle nod to the generations who fought for women’s right to vote and to participate fully in public life.
A Global Holiday—With Local Traditions
In many parts of the world, International Women’s Day is more than commemorative; it’s official. Countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Uganda observe it as a public holiday. In China, many women are granted a half-day off work.
In Italy, the day is known as Festa della Donna. Instead of roses, men traditionally give bright yellow mimosa blossoms to the women in their lives. The cheerful flower, which blooms in early March, has become the enduring symbol of the day there—a vibrant reminder that recognition can be both joyful and meaningful.
When Women “Stopped the World”
Perhaps one of the most dramatic demonstrations of women’s collective power occurred in Iceland.
On October 24, 1975, 90 percent of Icelandic women refused to work—both in paid employment and at home. They would not cook, clean or care for children. The country effectively ground to a halt. Offices closed. Schools shut down. Fathers brought their children to work.
The impact was immediate and undeniable. The following year, Iceland’s parliament passed legislation guaranteeing equal pay. The strike remains a landmark example of how visible absence can be as powerful as protest.
Recognition from the United Nations
Although International Women’s Day had been observed for decades—particularly in socialist and communist countries—it was not formally recognised by the United Nations until 1975, designated International Women’s Year. From that point forward, March 8 became firmly established as a global platform to assess progress, highlight inequalities and advocate for change.
More Than a Date
International Women’s Day is, at its heart, about dignity and agency. It honours the garment workers who marched in New York, the Russian women who demanded bread and peace, the suffragettes who chose purple as their banner and the Icelandic women who proved the world could not function without them.
The flowers, the hashtags and the corporate panels all have their place. But beneath them lies a reminder: progress has never been handed out freely. It has been organised, demanded and, at times, fiercely defended.
On March 8, when you see purple or receive a mimosa bloom, remember the women who stood in the cold streets of Petrograd and changed the course of history. International Women’s Day is not only a celebration. It is a legacy of courage—and an ongoing call to action.
