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March 08, 2005

the Eighth of March

Happy International Women's Day! Here's it's just called the "Eighth of March", and Russians find it particularly ironic that it's called "international" since it's really only celebrated here. It's sort of a combination of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, as well as a sort of celebration of spring.

In honor of the holiday, a few words about Russians' perceptions of feminism in America. One thing I keep hearing from Russian men and women is that there's no feminism here like in the US. So men often get paid more substantially more, always open doors, help put on coats, and pick up the tab. But I think many Americans would agree with me that feminism is going much stronger in Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, whereas it's creeping backwards in the US. Maybe American feminists make more noise than Europeans, but I think that's because they face a lot more resistance to their goals than in Western Europe. Chris Floyd, the always provocative columnist for the Moscow Times, wrote about American conservatives and the status of women this Friday. (Warning: not a G-rated story, and unabashedly left-wing.)

Posted by kshawkin at March 8, 2005 12:19 PM

Comments

Hi Kevin-

Really enjoy your show, first time caller...

Actually this morning I heard a report on NPR talking about various International Women's Day celebrations, particularly those in South America. So maybe it's just the U.S. that does not celebrate the 8th of March.

Go girls!

-Sue

Posted by: Sue at March 9, 2005 02:58 AM

Right, I did a little investigating. It seems there are celebrations, but I don't know of anywhere else where it's an official holiday. Maybe in some other former Soviet countries.

Posted by: Kevin at March 9, 2005 12:19 PM

In Chicago, I celebrated International Women's Day, Women's History Month, and the official formation and works of the Advisory Council for Women at a reception hosted by Mayor Daley.

Posted by: Sarah at March 9, 2005 08:44 PM