Women’s Strike organizers to students: Ditch class

Thousands of women across the United States are getting ready to participate in the nationwide women’s strike on Wednesday.

The goal, say organizers, is to recognize “the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system”, though they continue to face lower wages and experience “greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity”.

March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a day that celebrates social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

After more than 300 staff members requested leave for Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia, schools superintendent Alvin Crawley decided not to hold classes with so many teachers absent.

NY magazine’s site The Cut isn’t publishing anything starting Tuesday night through Wednesday, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

“We are committed to being out here for as long as it takes”, said Brooklyn civil rights activist Faiza N. Ali.

How exactly? A whopping 75 percent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District employees are women, and both towns skew pretty liberal.

The demonstrations in the US were organized by those behind the women’s marches on January 21 that drew millions nationwide.

The even better news is that the comedian Richard Herring takes it upon himself every year to spend International Women’s Day every year answering those questions. Those unable to take off work are encouraged to wear red, call a representative, or sign a petition. The first women’s day was in 1909 (but in February) when 15,000 women marched through the streets of NY demanding improved pay, shorter hours and voting rights.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel noted that the women participating in today’s demonstrations do not represent the views of all women.

Schools and businesses not closing for the strike are showing their support for women participating in the strike.

A smattering of small businesses, have also announced they will close for the day. The hope is to drive women and men to work together towards a better, more inclusive and gender equal world.