Disclosure: The links on this website may contain affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you decide to make any purchases using our affiliate links, at no cost to you. Please check out my disclosure policy
Happy International Women’s Day!
First things first, I had no idea I was going to be writing this article today but I couldn’t help myself as celebrating this day is pretty foreign to me.
Just like any other normal day, I woke up and got to work. As I was sitting at my desk, I noticed our neighbor, more like family (who is painting our walls right now) had arrived to start the job.
The next thing I knew, he shouted down the hall “Auguri” which literally translates to best wishes!!
I was a little confused as to why but I said “Grazie!” Then I looked over at my husband and said, “Why is he giving me best wishes?”
Then, Marco proceeded to tell me that March 8th is International Women’s Day!
Oh, ok, that’s nice. I didn’t have another thought about it and began teaching online.
Another Encounter
Finally, my long-awaited hour-long lunch break had arrived. I ran to the local store here to pick up some ingredients for dinner. My stomach has been upset and there is nothing better than Chicken & Dumplin’s. Yum!
As I was walking into the store, there was a sweet elderly lady and she was shouting with a big smile (I could tell from her eyes since we are still wearing COVID masks here in Italy)
“Auguri!” and something else I couldn’t understand with “donne” (women).
She was giving all the women she passed by in the store best wishes. How darling is that?!
Once I arrived back from the store, I was surprised with beautiful flowers and a sweet note from Marco. WOW! I’m so impressed.
Italian’s really care and value women. So, I had to google and find out exactly what is International Women’s Day?
What is International Women’s Day?
After a simple search on Wikipedia, it told me that International Women’s Day is celebrated all around the world on March 8th every year. The focus is on women’s rights.
Upon further research, I even found a website called www.internationalwomensday.com. Who would have known?!
According to this website, this day of the year is to:
- Celebrate women’s achievements
- Raise awareness about women’s equality
- Fundraise for female-focused charities
- Lobby for accelerated gender parity
- And much more
Women’s Day in Italy
In Italy, the men show their appreciation for the special women in their lives with a traditional gift. They give yellow mimosas, a symbolic women’s day flower. It is typical for the men to give these flowers included with other beautiful flowers to their wives or partners and then to give a small sprig of solely mimosas to their moms, sisters, aunts, and other important women in their lives.
My father-in-law brought me a small bundle of mimosas too. Gosh, I love it here! 🙂
It doesn’t just have to be a gift from men either. It’s also become common for women to celebrate and share with friends too.
In fact, there was a very sweet woman in her 80’s this morning riding her bike up and down the street with her bike basket full of mimosas. She was placing a sprig on each door handle for the women in our small town. How adorable is that?! The people of Italy are quite thoughtful.
Want to come and visit these sweet people? Read my latest article on the best travel guides to plan your trip!
American’s Celebrating International Women’s Day
I feel like this is a holiday that most American’s don’t really celebrate.
To be honest, until I started working with Mary Kay Cosmetics, I had never really even heard about it in America. Although I worked with all women in a woman-built company, the only form of celebration I ever saw was a simple “Happy Women’s Day” Facebook post and that was the end of it.
It’s actually kind of surprising that more American’s don’t celebrate it. If you read the history about how it all started on the websites I mentioned above, the earliest Women’s Day observance was held in 1909 in……New York City! C’mon America!!
Don’t worry ladies, you can always plan your next vacation to Italy and be treated like a queen all day!
Just read my articles on your next vacation to Milan or Venice and be sure to schedule your trip for March 8th.
Marco tells me before COVID the men would even pass out flowers to random women at restaurants or stores. How nice! 🙂
American’s- what do you think?
In conclusion, should we do more for this celebration? Will you make this a new tradition in your family? Or do any of you already celebrate International Women’s Day?
Please, comment below!! I’m curious to hear about it. Happy International Women’s Day!
XOXOXO
