National Woman's Day facts for kids
Woman's Day was a special day created to celebrate women. It was first organized in New York City by the Socialist Party of America. This day happened on the last Sunday in February in 1909 and 1910. A labor activist named Theresa Malkiel had the idea for this day. Woman's Day was an early version of what we now know as International Women's Day, which started to become popular around the world in 1911.
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Why Woman's Day Started
Some people thought Woman's Day was inspired by a workers' strike in New York City in 1857. However, this story is not true. It also wasn't based on a specific strike in 1908, as some have said.
In 1907, there was a big meeting called the International Socialist Women's Conference. At this meeting, some women socialists from America disagreed with a decision. This decision suggested they should not work with women who wanted voting rights but were not socialists.
Because of this, in 1908, the Socialist Party of America created the Woman's National Committee. Theresa Malkiel was in charge of this group. They strongly supported the idea of women getting the right to vote.
In December 1908, the Socialist Party asked people to hold events. These events were meant to show support for women's right to vote. They planned these events for the following February.
Early Celebrations and Speakers
The first Woman's Day events were held in New York City. Many important people spoke at these gatherings.
Events in 1909
On February 23, 1909, a speaker named Leonora O'Reilly talked to about 2,000 people. This event took place at the Murray Hill Lyceum. Other events happened in Brooklyn. At the Brooklyn Labor Lyceum and the Parkside Church, Charlotte Perkins Gilman gave a speech.
Events in 1910
On February 27, 1910, more important speakers shared their ideas. Rose Schneiderman, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Meta L. Stern spoke at Carnegie Hall. They also showed support for a big workers' strike happening in Philadelphia at that time. This was the first time the day was actually called "Woman's Day." By this year, similar events were starting to happen all over the United States. A newspaper called The Progressive Woman reported on these spreading celebrations.
Events in 1911
On February 25, 1911, May Wood Simons and Bertha M. Fraser spoke at Carnegie Hall.
Like International Workers' Day (also known as May Day), Woman's Day started in the United States. However, it became much more popular in other countries later in the 20th century.
