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The 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day

Posted: 03/ 8/2011 12:00 am

March 8th is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. And, as many of you know, this anniversary is important to me. At the 1995 Beijing conference, I was so humbled by the positive response to my message that human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights. But 16 years later, women still bear the brunt of poverty, war, disease, and famine. And when it comes to the boardroom meetings, government sessions, peace negotiations, and other assemblies where crucial decisions are made in the world, women are too often absent.

It is clear that more work needs to be done -- to consolidate our gains and to keep momentum moving forward.

The United States continues to make women a cornerstone of our foreign policy. It's not just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing. Women and girls drive our economies. They build peace and prosperity. Investing in them means investing in global economic progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for everyone -- the world over.

So let us mark this day by finding ways to ensure women and girls' access to education, health care, jobs, and credit, and to protect their right to live free from violence.

 
March 8th is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. And, as many of you know, this anniversary is important to me. At the 1995 Beijing conference, I was so humbled by the positive respons...
March 8th is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. And, as many of you know, this anniversary is important to me. At the 1995 Beijing conference, I was so humbled by the positive respons...
 
 
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05:45 PM on 03/08/2011
Hillary celebrating 'all women' on this day is hypocritical.
Where was she for the rights and dignity of Paula Jones, Juanita Broderick, Gennifer Flowers, Monica Lewinsky, Eileen Wellstone, Kathleen Willey? In fact, wasn't she in charge of the committee's to discredit these women?
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thinklib
I will not mince words.
05:22 PM on 03/08/2011
Did anyone see Hillary supporting Sarah Palin for vice president?

Take everything Hillary said and it doesn't apply to conservative women.
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truthskr
07:08 PM on 03/08/2011
That's because conservative women do not tend to be pro-woman.

Who is promoting the attack on Planned Parenthood and, by extension, women's health and reproductive rights? Conservatives, with the support of female conservatives.

Who voted to retain the favorable tax code for the wealthy, while, to compensate for the expense, cut the budget in ways that disproportionately hurt lower income women, families and children? Conservatives, with the support of female conservatives.

Who fights the end of such discriminatory policies as DADT and DOMA? Conservatives, with the support of female conservatives.

Who tells women that their place in society is in a traditional, Christian, nuclear marriage, caring for their men and children, while they at the same time climb the political ladder on the backs of other women, pulling up the ladder behind them? Many conservative female politicians.

Sec of State Clinton is far from perfect - she's human, after all - but when it comes to promoting and advocating for women, no conservative female can come within a 100 miles of her record.
07:29 PM on 03/08/2011
I think you might be missing the context of fighting on a global scale for women's rights. And in the process you are also missing how it does apply to conservative women.

She is fighting for women around the world who are abused, raped, oppressed, stoned and murdered, sexual slaves, child brides, forced labor, etc, etc. How are those horrible situations a conservative vs liberal thing?

They aren't.

And to your point about Sarah Palin. Hillary Clinton has never said a disparaging word about Sarah Palin or her vice presidential run. And at the time congratulated her while calling it historic.

The fact Hillary supported the Democratic party rather than the Republican party is frankly being used by you in such a way as to unfairly imply something else.

If you can read the recent Newsweek article (yeah I don't much like them myself), and are still convinced conservative women don't care about the same topics as Hillary. Then that is on you and not her....her fight will continue. Fighting the good fight for women and their families around the world.

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/06/the-hillary-doctrine.html
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05:12 PM on 03/08/2011
does this mean if one has a vagina and breasts it enables an individual in special terms? Women bear the brunt of war and famine? And Hillary Clinton voting yes to invade Iraq, means she's responsible for war and the displacement of countless peoples in that region. Its a common understanding the mid east and the U.S.'s interests deal more with territory control and the movement of oil from particular regions, not only is it proven oil companies have impoverished surrounding area's where they build empires but common folk never seem to profit from land acquired by governments.
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bighat
Truth as I see it
02:59 PM on 03/08/2011
Women can run for election in the US and Europe.

Figure they are smarter than men.

We do not even get the best of either gender because people in their right mind would never suffer thru the media attention looking for a scandal.
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02:33 PM on 03/08/2011
There are many Gems about women in the original translation of "The Gospel of the Perfect Life, also known as "The Gospel of the Holy Twelve" such as this: "At this time, an old woman approached the crowd, but was pushed back. Then Jesus said, Reverence woman, mother of the Universe, in her lies the truth of Creation. She is the Foundation of all that is good and beautiful. She is the source of life and death. Upon her depends the existence of man, because she is the sustenance of his labors. She gives birth to you in travail, she watches over your growth. Bless her. Honor her. Defend her. Love your wives and honor them, because......wife and mother-they are the adornments of the Universe." Thank all you women for giving us the journey to have this human experience. Shalom.
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Allen Reed Jensen
02:23 PM on 03/08/2011
I looked up the history of International Women's Day and surprise, surprise it was originally a socialist/holiday holiday (just like International Children's Day). President Obama has called for March to be made "Women's History Month." I don't know if that sits well with many Irish-Americans who like to commemorate the spirit of St. Patrick's Day all month long.
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squirrely girl
Assistant Professor ~ Developmental Psychology
03:57 PM on 03/08/2011
March has been Women's History Month for quite some time... as in before Obama took office :/
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Allen Reed Jensen
07:30 PM on 03/08/2011
Understood, but only at the state level and only with a minority of states. So Black History Month is February. Hispanic History/Heritage Month is September. Women's History Month apparently is March. So is every other month for the white male or what? Thank you for your reply. It was fun.
Vinkaye
science matters
04:21 PM on 03/08/2011
Um.... I'm an Irish-American and I can assure you we do not celebrate St. Patrick's Day all month long, only for one day. Then again, apparently I am capable of multi-tasking.... I can celebrate Women's History Month all month long, St. Patrick's Day on the 17th, tonight I'm celebrating Mardi Gras, tomorrow I will observe Ash Wednesday.... I will also honor Lent for the rest of the month. Just call me a crazy socialist catholic irish woman!
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Allen Reed Jensen
07:51 PM on 03/08/2011
That is why I said many Irish-American celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick's day (kind of like having Christmas cheer all December long). I am only a wee bit Irish but my family decorates the front door with a four leaf clover, not a picture of Margaret Sanger or Rosie the Riveter. This is why I am against new forced holiday or federally endorsed month commemorations. Even such things like Martin Luther King Jr. Day shouldn't have been forced upon any state where Dr. King's legacy didn't affect the people there. Harvey Milk Day is good for California, not Utah. Columbus Day is great for where there are large amounts of Italian Americans (NJ, NYC, Chicago, etc). Caesar Chavez Day in CA, etc. Women's History Month seems more political, not cultural. Thank you for your comment. I enjoyed our little exchange.
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playflute2
flootz
10:15 PM on 03/08/2011
Bravo!! From one Irish girl to another, you put that in perspective in just such a wonderfully humorous way.
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shastacola
02:16 PM on 03/08/2011
Well said, Secretary Clinton. Hillary in 2012!
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FlexHourJobs
Work-life Balance for Women and Baby Boomers
02:06 PM on 03/08/2011
Great work Hillary! Thanks to the women like you that lead the way for all of us to become activists and make changes in the world for the better. Happy Anniversary International Womens' Day!
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Marla Thurman
01:00 PM on 03/08/2011
I love you, Hillary! Beautiful statement...though I think the US still has a long way to go in terms of women's rights and equality. Thanks for everything you personally have done to make life better for women the world over.
12:32 PM on 03/08/2011
Thank you Secretary Clinton for your continue service of women's rights around the world.

Human rights are women's rights and there should be no disconnect of that basic fact.

I remember with pride your amazing speech in China. The constant drumbeat from the media, which essentially was advice that would have negated every aspect of your speech and that important day. To be blunt, I am not sure young ladies today understand the continuous assault against you prior to that speech.

Thank you for your courage that day and beyond. I too was raising my voice in concert with yours and billions of others.

You have been an inspiration on many occasions and topics throughout the years. I hope to one day call you Madame President and I am grateful that you are our Secretary of State in these dynamic times.
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Lori Woods
Widen your circle of compassion.
12:30 PM on 03/08/2011
Love Hillary! Voted for her, would do it again.
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Marla Thurman
01:52 PM on 03/09/2011
I voted for her, too. Wrote her in. I'd love to see her as president.
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JessWonderin
12:08 PM on 03/08/2011
In celebration the GOP cut funding for womens health .....
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roxette
03:34 PM on 03/08/2011
F & F Afraid you are right. If you want to change a society you educate its women. Presently GOP want to defund everything that help poor women.
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12:00 PM on 03/08/2011
For International Women's Day come and listen to my poems. I have been in the women's movement since forever. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/user/danpeak?feature=mhum
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shastaman
11:36 AM on 03/08/2011
As an admitted MCP ( mostly superficial) I am so proud of our nation
I have worried that Ms Clinton would endure major intolerance in her efforts abroad, but others before her have succeeded and she would have made a fine POTUS
A recent P B S airing of the "Triangle Fire " in N Y's garment district in March of 1911 was a shocker to me
The bigger part of 1910 was spent by so many of these women and girls striking against the abusive working conditions. They faced thugs and police brutality and corrupt judges paid for by the likes of our modern day Koch bros.
Elanor Roosevelt is a hero of this mcp!
Thank you mom! Thank you Michele ! ( my wife ) Thanks to you for your voices here and everywhere in your efforts to make an equitable world in which my daughters can walk without fear,
can work without harrassment, can play without penalty !
and can CHOOSE the life which they see fit
even if they choose leadership!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
11:35 AM on 03/08/2011
Politics aside, I admire H. Clinton so much and look at her as the greatest American woman of my time.