The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-12-04

VI PANSSSGAS
tive One OF the first demands for universal
suffrage for women. This demand was strongly sup
ported by. che Socialist parties OF Europe
Differences very early arose within the suffrage
movement These differences were but a reflection
Of the class struggle that permeated all society
The bourgeois women wanted the vote merely for
the privilege OF helping to maintain the existing
ngder. The working-class women wanted the vote
not only to protect their interests, but as a weapon
70 be used for the purpose of mObnixing the work
ng class for the overthrow of the capitalist system
OF society.
The second international conference OF Socialist
women was held at Copenhagen in 1910. The Amen
lean delegation reported the strong campaign
chat being carried on In the United States TO
win the right to vote. The conference then ae-
eepted proposal by Clara zetktn to establish an
International Womens Day On this day an en-
6eavor could be made to mobilize the working
women all the world In support Of this strug-
gle. March the Sth to be now known as
"Womens Day"
In 1911. Germany the stronghold OF the Second
International was the only country where this day
celebrated a large scale. In Austria, the
police dispersed the demonstrations Of the women.
The government well knew that whoever the
women would also win the masses.
+ The demonstrations of the women did not take
pace on MATCH the SCn In America however the
Socialist women participated in the suffrage parades
that were held. These parades were not molested
BY the police but during the first few years were
subjected to some ridicule from the pOpulace.
4 The next year ''Women's Day" celebrated in
eli the larger countries of Europe In Germany the
celebration on larger scale than the prev
tous year. The days before this day was
known as RED Week during which they carried on
intense propaganda. There a special paper for
this occasion called "The Women's Right to Vote"
The Austrian women also had paper for their
celebration called "Womens Day" This year March
the Sth became truly International holiday.
"Women's Day" was celebrated in Russia for the
hrst time in 1913. Special articles were written in
the workers papers by comrades from many coun-
tries, demonstration was held in public square
In Leningrad. Later many comrades were arrested
by the czarist police.
The following year the Russian comrades had
special edition of the workers papers printed for
me occasion Preliminary meetings were held on
the very day the police prohibited all deinonstra
lions. Women organizers were arrested and I'm
prisoned One Of their slogans was Down with the
Gar"
In 1856 the European war was raging The
ettempt to this day a demonstration against
Che slaughter was prevented by the Social Demo
cratic traitors.
However there was celebration in Norway in
1915. Representatives from Sweden and Russia
participated This time their slogan was not Votes
Cor Women" but the revolutionary slogan Of War
against War"
BY February, 1917 the sufferings Of the Russian
people had reached the end of~their endurance.
Poverty. hunger and disease stalking through
the land. The capitalist was still demanding
its sacrifice of human flesh. On February the 23rd
ehe women of Leningrad held demonstration de-
mandng bread for their children and the return OF
their from the trenches. This day marked the
beginning of the February-March Revolution.
March the Sth 1913 was celebrated in Soviet Rus
eia. For the first time ''Women's Day" was cele-
DRAFTED in a workers republic. Strengthen the Red
Front" Drive out the Imperialists" These
The slogans of the embittered working women now
fighting shoulder to shoulder with their men in de-
tense of the Revolution
The peasant women participated in the celebra-
zion Of "women's Day" for the first time in 1920