Submitted by Julieta Larios, Executive Office & Operations Manager
International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate women’s political, economic, and social advancements while also shining a light on the issues and inequalities affecting women across the world.
International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8th, bringing together women from every corner of life. It is a day to pause, open discussions on how we bring about positive change, and with pride reflect how far we have come.
Advance is proud to be an organization majority led by women who share a common passion- Health Equity for All. The 14 women of Advance help strengthen and achieve our vision through their unique experiences, great achievements, diverse cultural backgrounds, dedication to the communities we serve, and self-resilience.
In honor of International Women’s Day, Advance’s woman-identifying staff have shared a quote or message of what IWD means to them:
Alejandra Ruiz– Youth Program Manager
“International Women’s Day is not just a day to honor economic, political or social achievements, but to also honor the experiences, love, struggle, and resilience it took to get to those achievements.”
Elena Burr– Marketing Manager
“All my life I have been lucky to be surrounded by women of character and strength, those who don’t live inside the prescribed gender box. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women being true to themselves and not conforming to expectations – those in our immediate circles and those we admire from around the world.”
Elena Gonzalez– Nutrition Coach
“International Women’s Day is a day to acknowledge and remind women that they are worthy. Women are powerful and have contributed so much to society.”
Jazmin Hernandez– Family Program Manager
“Women have fought for the rights of others, now is the time to get her rights realized and get equal participation in society. There is no limit to a woman, we can take the lead to be strong and have an impact in our society.”
Jeri Royce– President & CEO
“International Women’s Day gives me the opportunity to acknowledge and feel gratitude for all the strong and courageous women in my life and their contributions to the world.”
Julieta Larios– Executive Office and Operations Manager
“I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can I do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther.” -Rupi Kaur
Maria Valenzuela– Senior Program Director
“International Women’s Day is a day to acknowledge how women show up in spaces that can feel foreign to them regardless of if they are showing up for themselves, their children, their family, or their communities. Not only on this special day, but every day women are moving our world forward despite detrimental challenges they may face.”
Mikaela Figueroa– Community Health Educator
“International Women’s Day means empowering and standing with all women, knowing that we all face different injustices. Also, remembering and bringing awareness to women who are missing or have suffered from violence, and being able to celebrate them and protect our women.”
Tatumn Zale– Development Gifts Associate
“International Women’s Day is important to me because it raises awareness around women’s rights and equity!”
Tiffany Luu– Development Operations Associate
“Women should be supporting women for whatever they want to do personally and professionally.”
Valeria Lopez– Community Health Educator
“International Women’s Day is the day to honor the work, sacrifice, worth, and courage of those women who wake up every morning with the vision of making this world a better place for them and their children. This day is also a day to remember those who fought for justice, dignity, hope, equality, and respect – the values that give us the freedom to live with no limitations.”
Xiomara Herrera– Community Health Educator
“To me, International Women’s Day is a day of remembrance and celebration of the past and current movements against patriarchy taking place in our backyards and around the world.”
How to celebrate International Women’s Day
- Dress in purple and green– According to the official IWD website, “Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope”.
- Share your story– About your achievements, women who inspire you, etc.
- Fundraise or donate– To a female-focused charity.
- Support female-owned brands send compliments or kind words- to your female friends and family.
- Share how you #BreaktheBias on social media
