The daily worker., 1927-02-24
EIGHTH OF MARCH, INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
HAS GREAT HISTORY; WILL HAVE GREATER FUTURE
By RACHEL HOFFMAN.

The women began to struggle in
the economic field much earlier than
in the political field. As soon rs the
industrial revolution made it possible
for them to enter industry, the wo-
men began to organize.
Economic strikes started in such
industries as clothing and footwear
as early as in the thirties of the last
century. The struggle for bread was
always acute and imperative.
( A difference in views on the ques-
tion Of equal rights was noticeable
in America quite early. The differ
ence portrayed itself in the class
struggle that began to penetrate the
whole of society. While the bour-
geois women wanted the right to vote
only for the sake of keeping the
existing social order, the working
women demanded the ballot not only
to protect their interests, but also as
a weapon that could be used for mo-
bilizing the working class, in order
to overthrow the whole existing capi-
talist society.
For this purpose there was called
in 1910 an international conference
in Copenhagen of all the women So
cialists. America was very well Yep
resented.
Clara Zetkin proposed that not only
in America but in all the other coun-
tries such demands should be put
forward. A definite day in the year
was chosen for that purpose-the 8th
of March.
On the 8th of March efforts
should be made to mobilize the wo-
men all over the world; to support
the struggle for equal suffrage, to
overthrow the capitalist order of So
ciety and finally liberate women.
Germany, the stronghold of the
Second International, celebrated this
day in 1911 on a broad scale. In
Austria the police dispersed meetings
and demonstrations Of women, be-
cause they were afraid of the immen-
sity of the movement.
In this country the socialist wo-
men did not celebrate this day on
their own hook, but went with the
suffragettes, who made use of the
day TO obtain votes, get publicity and
members for the equal rights move
inent.
In Russia Women's Day was cele-
brated the first time in 1913. Spe-
cial articles were written by the COM
rades in exile. A demonstration vas
held in Leningrad, which resulted in
numerous arrests.
In 1914 Women's Day in Russia
was celebrated under the slogan,
down with the Czar!"
In 1916 the attempts to hold cele-
brations we're in vain. In all coun-
tries the social democratic traitors
worked hand in hand with the bour-
geoisie and were a menace every
where to carry anything thru.
But there came the month of Feb
ruary. The sufferings of the Rus
sian masses were indescribable; pow
erty, hunger, sickness and death
reigned all over Russia; the bloody
war still demanded its victims.
Then the women of Leningrad left
the factories and came out into the
streets, demanding bread for their
children, and their husbands back
from the trenches. That was the
first signal for the February-March
revolution.
The peasant women celebrated that
day the first time in 1920. Their
slogans were of such necessities as
they came in contact with in every
day life: "Down with the Bourgeoi-
sic and capital" "Down with litter
acy." Over a hundred schools were
opened that day, besides homes for
expectant mothers, nurseries and kin
dergartens.
With full pomp the 9Th Of March
was celebrated in Russia in 1928.
Women by tens Of thousands and
hundreds Of thousands took part.
When Lenin died the slogan be-
came: Remember the Words of
Lenin," "The Work in the Soviets
Will Not be Complete If Millions of
Women Workers in the Field and
Factory viii Not Participate in It."
Until now it has been in general
difficult to have such celebration
in this country. Last year there
were small celebrations in Detroit,
/ BOSTON and New York.
This year, in America, preparations
are under way for celebrations on the
9Th Of March in all Of the larger
American cities. Working womer
will participate in considerable mum
Der, and as the years go on, in. larger
and ls~ger numbers.