Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, a day to acknowledge the efforts of so many before us and a call to carry-on the work for each other, as well as those yet to come. There has also been a call for a simultaneous Day without Women as a protest to call attention to women’s rights and the value of the work women provide. Well, that’s all well and good and it’s a lovely thought. I certainly want to rally with my sisters around the globe to demonstrate our value to those who have yet to see it and to show support and solidarity. However, I, like so many others, can’t afford to lose my job because of it. I don’t work for an employer that would support such a thing, although with so many women in our workforce I’m pretty sure if we boycotted work for a day it would shut things down. But we’re not, and if we tried I guarantee it won’t go well. At all. Especially if enough of us did it to actually disrupt things.

I have been struggling with this a little bit this week. Thinking that if I didn’t boycott work I was somehow be letting my sisters down, but I have to think beyond tomorrow. To the day after that, and the day after that. I need this job right now. I need this paycheck, my only paycheck, and I need the health insurance. Not surprisingly, this is the case for most women, so there isn’t going to be the kind of boycott I thought it was going to turn into. In fact, after a little internet searching, and texting my activist friends, very few women, even in the US, are in a position to make such a stand. There was an article from Seattle that went as far as calling this boycott an example of white privilege. I’m white, middle-class, with an advanced degree and I don’t even have that privilege. Now, most would be inclined at this point in an essay to sound the battle cry that this is why we must rally together and why the boycott is necessary. But is the boycott really the best way to advance equality? I think not.

One of my friends who I contacted tonight, isn’t boycotting because she worries about losing her job. She’s not boycotting because that would put her team, which comprises both men and women, in a really horrible position and they need the full team for tomorrow’s job. Her going to work tomorrow is a perfect example of equality and solidarity. She’s going to make a difference by leading by example. By being a positive influence on those around her, by showing the value of women in the workforce by actually doing the work. (and I know her so I know she does her job well) Isn’t this really the best way to show our value, to inspire others to achieve the goals we’ve achieved and hopefully push past them to achieve even higher goals? After reflecting on this as I write I now realize that the best way for me to help the cause, to move the boundaries, to encourage others, is to go to work tomorrow and make a point of demonstrating my value and in turn the value. To encourage, support, and bolster all my co-workers, regardless of gender or gender identity, and put energy and enthusiasm into them and our shared goals of making a positive impact on our community. Tomorrow I will celebrate International Women’s Day, I will wear a red scarf just like Susan B. Anthony and I will honor the efforts of women in the workforce while contributing my own. Gandhi said “be the change you wish to see in the word.” I wish to see compassion and cohesion. What about you? What are you doing for International Women’s Day? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear what you’re doing and get some ideas for next year.

Peace,
Jane