Why You Should Give Flowers To Celebrate Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day! Here's to strong, independent, and talented women all around the globe. In this journal entry, we recap how this historic day came to be, its significance and the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day – plus, why flowers make the perfect gift.

"Here’s to strong women. May we know them; May we be them; May we raise them."

History and Significance

Before we get into the floral stuff, we must first educate ourselves on how and why International Women’s Day is celebrated in the first place. 

The seeds for International Women’s Day were sown in the early 1900s, which was also the rise of the suffragette movement; a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States.

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In 1908, the Socialist Party of America organised a march in New York City. About 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter work hours, better pay, and voting rights. The first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed on February 28th, 1909.

Up until 1913, women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday in February. But after much debate, it was agreed that International Women's Day is observed on March 8th each year, corresponding to February 23rd in the Gregorian calendar. Since then, this date remained the official date for International Women’s Day globally.

Following the decision agreed upon in Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day was observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19th. Then in 1975, International Women's Day was honoured for the first time by the United Nations in promoting women’s rights and involvement in the political and economic arenas.

International Women's Day Colours

According to the International Women’s Day website, the official colours of this historic day are Purple, Green, and White. This concept originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom in 1908. 

Purple: signifies dignity and justice.

Green: symbolises hope.

White: represents purity.

Let’s All Embrace Equity This Year & Beyond

Give equity a nice, warm embrace because this year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day puts an emphasis on why equal opportunities aren't enough.

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The theme calls for action against the biases that women face on a daily basis. Thus, it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality. 

Equality means that each person or group of people has access to the same resources or opportunities. However, equity recognises that everyone's circumstances are unique and allocates the exact resources and opportunities required to achieve an equal outcome.

“Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.”

To quote the official site of International Women's Day, "For International Women's Day and beyond, let's all fully #EmbraceEquity. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality. When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion." 

Giving Flowers On Women’s Day

Giving flowers on special occasions has been a tradition for many years now – and giving flowers on International Women's Day is just as, if not more, special. Over the years, women and men alike have continued to gift beautiful flowers to show their love and appreciation for the remarkable women in their lives. Mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunts, teachers, colleagues, and friends!

In Italy, the Festa della Donna is celebrated with the exchange of mimosa flowers, which were, also the first flowers to bloom in spring. Italian feminists declared mimosa flowers to be a sign of resilience and compassion in the years following World War 2. Mimosas are also thought to symbolise strength, sensibility, and sensitivity.

From then on, giving flowers became a customary gesture on International Women’s Day as a way to celebrate, honour, empower, and appreciate women all around the world. 

 

If you’re seeking heartwarming gifts and flowers to give to the amazing women in your life this International Women’s Day (or any day this March), your quest ends here. Trust us, you won't have to think twice about choosing. 

Abundant with peace, love, and gratitude, each floral design is expertly handcrafted by our talented florists. Shop the Women's Day Collection and spoil the queens in your life today! 

Have a custom arrangement in mind? Reach out to us here or via social media at @lunafloral.my. We'll help make your floral dreams come true.