International Women's Day is a day dedicated to embracing equality, raising discrimination awareness, and celebrating women’s achievements.
“I’m continuously struck by the lack of support and resources women experience,” Amina AlTai, a holistic leadership and mindset coach, tells DailyOM. “We tend to face more headwinds and fewer tailwinds.” For these reasons, and many more, uplifting yourself and other women on International Women’s Day (and every day!) is paramount. Ahead, find eight ways to do just that.
1. Support Women’s Charities
Donating to a charity that supports women is an impactful way to celebrate International Women’s Day. There are many organizations to choose from that support different women’s causes. Some charities to look into include Happy Period, a Black-led organization focusing on menstrual health education and advocacy, and I Support the Girls, which provides essential items for women experiencing homelessness.
Alternatively, providing a loan to women around the world via a nonprofit like Kiva can change women’s lives. Even a $25 contribution can help a woman pay for their tuition, start a business, or care for their families.
Interested in learning more? Check out How to Heal the Mother Wound
2. Do Something Nice for a Woman in Your Life
There’s something so special and touching about supporting the women in your life who mean the most to you. A nice gesture like dropping off a meal to a new mom can go a long way, but as AlTai notes, offering emotional support and just checking in on someone can also make a difference.
For Leslie Saglio, a women’s empowerment coach, that looks like reaching out to a friend or loved one to let them know how much you appreciate them. “As an expat, most of my best friends live far away, so for me, it’s even more important I stay connected and let them know how much they mean to me,” she says. “I love sending a beautiful quote or meme with a personalized note sharing what I love about them and our friendship.”
3. Shop at Women-Owned Businesses
“Use your choice as your voice,” Saglio says, meaning that where you allocate your hard-earned dollars matters. Supporting women-founded businesses is an easy way to uplift other women while treating yourself to something special.
It doesn’t have to be a physical product, either. For instance, Saglio loves practicing shamanic Kundalini yoga with her teacher and friend, Trish Whelan. “She has beautiful and transformative online offerings such as classes, retreats, and healing sessions,” she says. “And when I purchase from her, she gives back to TreeSisters, a female-founded and -led social change and reforestation charity.”
Furthermore, if you have the means, AlTai also recommends investing money in female-founded companies. “When it comes to venture capital funding, women receive [approximately] 2.3 percent of total funding, and Black and Latina women receive just 0.43 percent,” she notes. “You could contribute to their crowdfunding campaign or pass along their business plan to an investor. Helping women gain access to capital is one of the most generous things we can do.”
4. Have a Self-Love Day
International Women’s Day should be about celebrating yourself, too. To do so, consider carving out some time for a self-love day. Fill up the day’s itinerary with activities that uplift you and make you feel really good, such as reciting positive affirmations (bonus points if you do it in front of a mirror!), taking a bath, journaling, and setting big goals for the year ahead.
Another idea Saglio suggests adding to your self-love day (or any day, really) is dancing to an all-women empowerment playlist with anthems like Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).” “I love dancing to this song whenever I need a quick pick-me-up, between work calls, after a long day, or just as an easy way to get out of my head and into my body to feel energized and ready for what’s next,” she says.
5. Plan a Girls’ Day
Celebrating International Women’s Day solo is one option. Another great idea? Gathering your best girlfriends for a fun and memorable day together. The possibilities for this are endless. Go on a hot girl walk and hype each other up by sharing what you most admire about each other. Create something together. Have a lazy night in with wine, popcorn, and a rom-com.
Whatever you do, ensure the day feels like a safe space for you to fully express yourselves, be seen and heard by the women you love most, and make some memories together.
6. Amplify Other Women’s Voices and Stories
If monetary donations and purchases are not feasible, Saglio and AlTai suggest using your platforms to amplify other women and share their stories. “Even if you don’t have that many followers, chances are [the women you post about] will be exposed to new people who can honor and bear witness to their story,” AlTai says.
“Social media can be a powerful tool if used with intention,” Saglio adds. “I’ve discovered so many inspiring women through others sharing on their feed, and I reciprocate so that more voices of women reach far and wide for more impact and influence.”
Along the same lines, it’s also important to celebrate other women’s milestones and accomplishments. As a society, there’s a big focus on celebrating women when they get married or have a baby, which is fantastic. But other milestones, such as finishing school, leaving a toxic relationship, paying off debt, or running a 5K, are equally valuable and worth celebrating.
7. Improve Your Financial Literacy
Another way to empower each other and celebrate International Women’s Day is to work on improving your financial literacy. “One of the things that holds women back is the gender wage gap,” AlTai says. “By teaching women how to ask for more, invest, and direct their money, we can change their experiences and lives.” To do so, she suggests sharing financial books with women in your life who have helped you or sharing a thought leader you follow who has made a difference in your life.
8. Allow Yourself to Shine
Lastly, celebrate International Women’s Day by giving yourself permission to shine as brightly as you can. Show off a recent accomplishment. Toot your own horn. Put on your favorite outfit and lipstick. Take some selfies. Do whatever makes you feel like the best version of yourself. In shining your light, you empower and inspire other women to unapologetically do the same.
