'A Day Without a Woman' Rally to be Held in Spooner

Wednesday, March 8 is International Women's Day. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

This year the day is also being promoted as 'A Day Without a Woman.' According to womensmarch.com, A Day Without a Woman is intended to recognize the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to the socio-economic system--while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. The website states that they recognize that “trans and gender nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression, and political targeting. We believe in gender justice."

The site also encourages women everywhere to participate in one or all of the following ways:

Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman

The website also has a printable form available for employees to give their employers as an explanation for taking the day off.

Some businesses and school districts across the country are already feeling the effects of those that wish to take the day off. The Alexandria Virginia School District, for example, announced that all 16 of the District's schools will be closed on Wednesday, March 8, due to over 300 staff members requesting leave for that day by posting the following statement on their district website:

It has come to our attention that as of today, more than 300 staff members have requested leave this Wednesday, March 8. Given the unusually high number of requests, this may be attributed to the observance of International Women’s Day. This day has also been deemed A Day Without Women. Consequently, ACPS has decided to close schools for students for the day. This day will be a teacher work day for ACPS staff. This is in addition to the teacher work day that is onFriday, March 10. This is not a decision that was made lightly. We have been closely monitoring requests for leave on March 8, including communicating with school leaders and our education association. The decision is based solely on our ability to provide sufficient staff to cover all our classrooms, and the impact of high staff absenteeism on student safety and delivery of instruction. It is not based on a political stance or position. Students will not be required to make up this instructional day. As this winter has not seen the usual snow accumulation across the region, we have sufficient days in the calendar to close on Wednesday without adversely affecting the number of teaching days required by the State.

Locally, A Day Without A Woman Rally is being held in Spooner on Wednesday. A Facebook page event has been created which states: "On International Women's Day, March 8th, women, and our allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity."

The Event page states that they will be meeting at Centennial Park in Spooner, WI. From there, they will walk on the sidewalk on River Street or just stay gathered in the park, and encourages everyone to bring a sign.

Types of signs: