I must admit that I did not know about International Women’s Day until three years ago. It was my first winter at the flower shop, and a gentleman called us in early March looking for mimosa flowers. We were not able to get mimosas so he chose yellow daffodils instead. The card read, “Happy Women’s Day!” A quick web search, and I discovered what International Women’s Day was all about. The theme that year, 2018, was #PressForProgress–“a push for gender parity worldwide.”

2019

Of course I was all in! We advertised on social media and had advertisements up in the shop. I was ready for a lot of orders celebrating Women’s Day on March 8, but that was our sole order that year. Last year was a little better with three orders being delivered to women in celebration of Women’s Day. Last year’s theme, 2019, was #BalanceForBetter–“reducing the global pay gap between men and women and making sure all are equal – and balanced – in activist movements, boardrooms and beyond.”

2020

This year’s theme is #EachForEqual–“An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions… We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.” I would love to see our shop get flooded with orders celebrating International Women’s Day this year! I want to see this, not for the benefit of the shop, but for the benefit of women worldwide. Gender disparity continues to be the rule, not the exception. We need this day, this reminder, to be front and center!

Gender Parity

As I type this, Sabrina Ionescu, a senior guard for the Oregon Ducks, “became the first and only NCAA Division I basketball player to amass 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in the span of a collegiate career.” As Forbes went on to point out, “Her tsunami-sized impact has changed college basketball forever.” I’ve read several articles about her amazing feat, but I love the Forbes article. In its opening sentence, they describe her simply as a basketball player. For me, this is what true gender parity looks like–when an individual is recognized for their accomplishments without a qualifier such as “woman.” We’re not there yet, but wow does this light the path in front of us, and isn’t that what International Women’s Day is all about?

Celebrate!

Let’s celebrate the amazing women in our lives! Each plays a vital role in family, community, work, and world.

Let’s celebrate the amazing women in our lives! They are our daughters’ and granddaughters’ role models.

Let’s celebrate the amazing women in our lives! The world does not always equally recognize their accomplishments, but we can.

Let’s celebrate the amazing young women in our lives! Send them an inspirational message that shows them a future where they can do anything they want without prejudice or boundaries or disparity.

We’re here to help!

While we don’t have mimosa flowers which is an Italian tradition, we do have the traditional colors of purple and green that have become symbolic for International Women’s day. Purple signifies justice and dignity, and green signifies hope. If you need inspiration, take a look at our website or our Facebook page. Better still, give us a call, let us know what your budget is, and our designers will put together something as beautiful and unique as the women in your life to go with your personal and inspirational message.

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