International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day! Here's something you might not know: International Women’s Day was originally called International Working Women’s Day. The first observance of this was held in 1909, organized by the Socialist Party of America, to raise awareness about the specific needs that women have in the workforce. Now, of course, we use this day to celebrate all sorts of aspects of women's lives -- AND to talk about the inequalities we still face.

IT’S 2017 AND WE’RE STILL WORKING ON EQUALITY, PEOPLE.

We all know that women, on average, earn less money for doing the same work as men (and for women of color or LGBT women, this pay gap is even worse). But sometimes, women's undervalued -- or unappreciated work -- doesn't just come from the hours we put in at our jobs -- It's all sorts of other work, too. Have you ever heard of the concept of emotional labor? Here’s what it is: it's when people are expected to provide an array of emotional services for other people without really receiving any type of pay or compensation. Sound familiar? Women are expected to provide emotional labor to men all the time. Our work literally never ends. We are the emotional support for so many people - so many MEN. This goes far and beyond any guidelines for our professional jobs, yet we are expected to take on this emotional supportive role to our male co-workers. 

Do your guy friends ever call you to chat about their women problems, their lives, their jobs? Of course they do. And we are expected to listen and comfort them and provide advice. Which, of course, is totally cool -- That's what friends do, of course. But think about it: What about when the roles are reversed? Do you feel comfortable  going to men in your life and asking for advice? Or venting about a tough day at work? Or talking about your feelings? Or, if you've had a boyfriend, did you feel like you knew his needs and were careful about his feelings -- But he had no idea what was going on in your head? Do your guy friends ever tell you that they could never vent to their bros about this kind of stuff -- Leaving it all on you? Why is it this way?

We wanted to take the time to write this blog that focuses on International Women’s Day because we believe this holiday fully encapsulates what our website is about. It is NOT about being malicious to fck boys. It is NOT about getting revenge. It is about coming together and having a safe space to talk about, laugh about, and feel comforted in regards to the problems that women encounter in their lives and the expectations that society has for us. These problems sometimes go way further than what a fck boy has said to you.

So go out there today. Wear red. Live for yourself. Stand up for yourself. Stand up for OTHER WOMEN. Be supportive. Make every day International Women’s Day. Be a BOSS.