International Women’s Day has been observed on March 8 since the early 1900’s, specifically addressing the inequality of work conditions, pay and voting rights in Europe. Since 1987 March has been designated by presidential proclamation to honor women’s contributions in America. It also has become a dedicated month to raise awareness of the ongoing issues related to gender inequality and human rights.

Today on my birthday I wish to acknowledge some recent accomplishments by some amazing women.

1- Christina Koch will become the first female astronaut assigned for a flight to the moon after a 50 year hiatus, having lived for 328 days on the International Space Station in 2019.

2- Israeli conductor Bar Avni won the women’s international competition in Paris beating 197 competitors from 47 countries.

3- Admiral Lisa Franchetti is the first woman to head the the US Navy, thereby becoming the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

4- In 2023 several universities named female presidents for the very first time.

5- Clara Goldin was the first solo woman awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics just last year.

6- In 2022 Taylor Swift gave the commencement speech at NYU titled “Cringe Is Unavoidable”

The list goes on and on and I encourage you to learn about other inspiring women who have been trailblazers throughout the centuries.

-Harriet