Today is International Women’s Day.
International Women’s day is a holiday that has been recognized since 1909. But this year, the day holds a special significance. It’s being filtered through an orange prism emanating from the White House — everything, these days, has a special significance, it seems.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Be Bold for Change.”
Because of the circumstances, the organizers of January’s Women’s March on Washington have planned a very bold action: “A Day Without Women.” As the name insinuates, women are being urged to take the day off from paid and unpaid labor and to avoid shopping, unless it’s at a small, women- and/or minority-owned business.
“In the same spirit of love and liberation that inspired the Women’s March, we join together in making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system–while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity,” the organizers said. “We recognize that trans and gender nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression and political targeting. We believe in gender justice.”
On Facebook, Nyack’s Bill Schmidt compiled a list of local small businesses owned and operated by women. “Let’s appreciate the women in our lives that make life possible and more beautiful: our mothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends, friends, coworkers, significant others, etc ,” Schmidt said. “They do so much for us, we could not survive without them… not even for a day”
Birchwood Center for Yoga & Massage
Christine Cordey Salon
Dying to Bloom
Festoon
Gena Lisa
Gene Reed
Iriniri
Kiam Records
Knitting Nation
Lorybird
Maria Luisa
Nyack Optical
Nyack Yoga
Olives
P Ross
Saffron
Sanctuary
Sauerkraut
Sign of the Times
Somos Jewelers
Squash Blossom
Toma Holley Original Clothing Designs
True Food