Global Celebrations of International Women's Day

We Have One Month, Several Reasons, and Thirty Three Women of Influence Worthy of Celebrating Throughout Women's History Month

While fear runs rampant and travel is a bit prohibited at this time, consider this a window into other corners of the world where women are kicking it. Similar to any good read, we don't have to be there to be transported to that other place and or into the mind of our (s)hero, our fearless lead character.

So, grab a cup of Jo or a hot cuppa and settle into a spirited read on this International Women's Day weekend. We at WAT have assembled 33 women of influence worldwide who are defying the odds and inspiring many women both near and far.

So, today open that window, kick down the door and let your roof rise above you as we rise with you. I will let Casey Lauer take it away and intro you to these phenomenal women of influence below.

Happy International Women's Day! Happy Women's History Month, Friends!

Say WAT: Santa Fe, Argentina

March 8th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: Argentina celebrates International Women's Day (IWD) this year by hosting an “open-air” service and potluck at University College Cork in Argentina. All sides of the gender fence are celebrating IWD as the men of UCC are providing the food.

WAT in the World: What are women

doing in this corner of the world? Karen Hallberg is a local woman of influence. She is a physicist and is the Director of Research at the Centro Atómico de Bariloche. She was awarded the L’oreal-Unesco Science Award for her computational developments that allow scientists to further study the quantum matter. This research has been recognized as an important contribution to understanding nanoscopic systems' magnetic and electronic properties and new materials.

Say WAT: Sydney, Australia

February 29th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: The Golden Coast highlights the women of color in their country by hosting the inaugural We are the Mainstream in Sydney. This event, designed specifically to celebrate Black, Indigenous, and Womxn of Color (BIWoC), is to help explore what it is like to be a part of a marginalized community, who work across numerous industries in Australia’s society. This will be hosted at the Bankstown Arts Centre on February 29th.

WAT in the World: What are women doing in this corner of the world?

Monica Zanetti, a 32-year-old Australian native, is a director and screenwriter. She is currently crowdfunding the first LGBTQ romantic teen comedy feature film in the country. This is quite the accomplishment as Australia just legalized same-sex marriage in 2017. Zanetti was looking for herself in films for her entire life. She finally decided to create the movie she needed at her coming of age. Her last film, budgeted around $32,000, was shown at eight different film festivals and sold internationally.

Say WAT: Vienna, Austria

March 4th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: The Each for Equal Vienna Panel will be hosted at Webster

Vienna Private University. This panel will feature prominent local politicians, journalists, researchers, and more to cover various topics relating to women and International Women's Day. The head of Media Communications at Webster Vienna will be the moderator of this event.

WAT in the World: What are women doing in this corner of the world?

Madeline Alizadeh is an Austrian activist who originally came to the spotlight through her blog, “Daria Daria,” which she kept up for seven years before stopping in 2017. Since ending her blog, she has started a sustainable clothing line - dariadéh, and her podcast - “A Mindful Mess. Her focus is to raise awareness on sustainability, fast fashion, conscious living, and politics.

Say WAT: Brussels, Belgium

March 7th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: PWI Brussels International Women’s Day Gala is happening on March

7th, in Brussels this year. This gala hopes to foster learning and provoke conversations that matter by communicating with friends, colleagues, and guest speakers. The goal is to have each guest leave feeling inspired and ready to engage in their day-to-day life and assist the incredible women in their lives to grow and succeed.

WAT in the WORLD: What are women doing in this corner of the world?

The artist behind the golden disk album Brol, Angéle, is a Belgium powerhouse. She uses her art to cover topics like sexuality, feminism, the dangers of social media, and sexual intimidation with her lofty voice. She was also declared Brussels personality in 2018 after her overarching success in the D6bels Music Awards, the MIA’s, and les Victoires de la Musique.

Say WAT: Vancouver, Canada

March 4th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: In Vancouver, the Strong Women, Strong Music 2020 concert series will be hosted. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Enterprising Women Making Art, a program from Atira Women’s Resource Society. Help the art of the West Coast, and help empower the women creating it.

WAT in the World: What are women doing in this corner of the world?

Lilly Singh is one of the most successful YouTube creators that the platform has ever hosted, amassing over 14 million subscribers, with her most popular video reaching 38 million views. Singh has also just become a late-night TV host, following Seth Meyer's nightly broadcast on NBC. Besides her media successes, Singh has spearheaded the #GirlLove movement, encouraging female empowerment and breaking the girl-on-girl hate cycle. This movement was also used to give girls and young women in Kenya access to education in 2017.

Say WAT: Copenhagen, Denmark

March 8th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: Support women in STEM by supporting the Hackathon for International Women’s Day: AI Towards Sustainability on March 8th. This event is being hosted in Copenhagen to utilize women’s AI skills to “tackle some of the most important global problems we face today.” With sponsors and hosts from Women Techmakers, WomenHackCPH, Nordic.AI, and BitGrit, different concepts will be taught to help take each idea closer to reality.

WAT in the World: What are women doing in this corner of the world?

Creative director of fashion brand Ganni, and co-founder, Ditte Reffstrup has made waves in the fashion industry through this Copenhagen-based line. After growing up in a rural town, she gained inspiration from local charity shops and now has her designs sold internationally through Selfridges.

Say WAT: Helsinki, Finland

March 5th, 2020

Say WAT WAT: Female business owners in Helsinki are hosting a panel on March 5th about their experiences. They cover all from how to be an individual starting a business, creating a business, parenting, and supporting themselves throughout these times in their professional journey.

WAT in the World: What are women doing in this corner of the world? Anne Brunilla has an extensive reach in the Finnish financial circle and research circle. Brunilla is currently on multiple boards for top companies and has previously served as President and CEO of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation; and Sanoma, a media group in Nordic countries.

Say WAT: Berlin, Germany

March 5th-7th, 2020