March 8 marks International Women’s Day Inspires Women to “Make It Happen”

Speak up for women’s rights or equality, and you’ll get different reactions depending on who’s listening. It’s par for the course for an activist, isn’t it? We need inspiration, resources, and kindred spirits to sustain and encourage us. International Women’s Day (IWD) March 8 reminds us there’s a global sisterhood and its supporters: to honor women, celebrate women’s achievements, and continue to press for justice and equality.


Women Made the Movement Happen

In 1908 in New York City, 15,000 women marched to demand shorter work hours, better pay and the right to vote.

In 1908 in Great Britain, the Women's Social and Political Union adopted a purple-white-green color scheme to show solidarity with Suffragettes.

In 1910 in Copenhagen, 100 women from 17 countries formed the first International Women’s Day.

In 1915 in Bern, Switzerland, the movement took on the cause of peace. At a demonstration to urge the end of World War I, women on both sides of the conflict took part.

The United Nations has observed IWD on March 8 since 1975. Issues have included rape as a weapon of war, sexual assault, domestic violence, and physical sexual violence.

Women in Action Today

• Visit the International Women's Day website, a global hub for news, events, and resources. Learn from selected videos. See their “Make It Happen” theme page for action ideas -- including “Paint it purple.”
• Explore LPF’s Women's Resources, a five-part treasure trove to affirm women and girls’ empowerment.Who in your church would be most interested? How can you support women’s efforts to “make it happen”?
• Share this blogpost with others. Join in to inspire change, stop violence and nurture peace with women! 

-- Lily R. Wu

(Illustration from IWD 2011 on their 100th anniversary.)

February 14: Dance with the One Billion Rising Revolution To End Violence Against Women

Here’s a statistic so shocking that it defies belief: 1 in every 3 women in the world will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, according to the One Billion Rising Revolution. Such a staggering issue calls for mighty action. Now here is our opportunity!

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, the One Billion Rising movement expanded to 200 countries by 2014. It is evolving in 2015 into the One Billion Rising Revolution: “the biggest mass action in human history to end violence against women.”

• The call is for systemic change: “overhauling, challenging, and fighting” corrupt systems. 
• The goal is justice “for all survivors of gender violence and the impunity that protects perpetrators...” 
• The determination is to “create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.”

How can we get started?

• Be inspired by mass gatherings worldwide; see the panoramic YouTube video "One Billion Rising 2015 - La Rivoluzione." 
• Sing with the music video "Break the Chain” (with captions on, to catch every word)! 
• Learn the dance steps at "How to: Break the Chain Choreography" and introduce this brilliant activity to others. (The dancing expresses joy, community, and not being defeated by violence.) Also see “How to Dance ‘Break the Chain’ -- for the mobility compromised!” 
• Check out the One Billion Rising Revolution website for more ideas. Don’t miss the toolkit, under “Resources.” 

And have you seen Lutheran Peace Fellowship’s Women's Peace Resources for inspiration and empowerment? See our action guide "Stopping Violence Against Women and Girls," the “Women's Video Gallery,” and more.

You can help too by passing this blogpost on to your friends. And do share with us what is inspiring you to stop violence against women and girls, and to promote peace instead!

Lily R.Wu and Alan Forsberg

Dietrich Bonhoeffer´s Birthday - February 4

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) is known for his leadership role in the Confessing Church, efforts on behalf of peace and justice, opposition to antisemitism, and writings on theology and ethics that have been influential far beyond his German Lutheran context.
He was was hanged by the Nazis on April 6, 1945 in the Flossenburg concentration camp.

Check out  LPF's resources on this Lutheran Hero at:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Resources