Our History
International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900s, when great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world coincided with booming population growth. Great unrest and critical debate was occurring among women. Women’s oppression and inequality were spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. This cumulated in 1908, where15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
International Women’s Day is recognized each year on March 8th and is a global day celebrating the political, social and activist achievements of women past, present and future. IWD has been celebrated for more than 100 years.
For over forty years Toronto has held the largest event in North American recognizing IWD. Our annual rally & march is organized by the IWD Organizing Committee, Women Working with Immigrant Women alongside a wide variety of labour, social & gender justice activists.
