The Mayor's Column
Mosman is celebrating International Women’s Day 2008.
This is an opportunity to recognise women’s achievements in paid and unpaid work, as volunteers, and of those pioneering women who have fought for equal rights, opportunities and pay for women over the last hundred years.
The history of International Women’s Day had its nascence in 1908 when women garment makers in New York demonstrated to demand better working conditions. In England, women were also calling for an end to inferior working conditions and lower pay than men. In Australia, women in Sydney rallied in 1928 with the same cry.
International Women’s Day was first held in 1910 when women across the globe agreed to set aside 8 March as a day of special focus on women’s issues and demands for equality between men and women.
How far have we come?
Certainly working conditions for both men and women have improved in the last hundred years. But, we still have not got true equal opportunity for women. The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard recently acknowledged the lack of equal representation of women at the corporate level in the workplace, and the ongoing lack of equal pay and opportunities for women, despite the increase in women’s level of education and success in many fields. The 2020 summit convened by Prime Minister Rudd has come under heavy criticism for appointing just one woman to an advisory panel of 10.
Mosman is hosting a special celebratory event on Tuesday 11 March from 6.30-8.00pm in the Mosman Art Gallery. Jean Kittson is our special guest speaker. She is one of Australia’s best-loved stars of TV, film, radio and stage. Jean is also one of Australia’s most popular hosts and speakers at conventions, conferences and award nights and other after dinner frolics. Jean lives in Mosman and is very interested in local government. Why not wear the suffragette colour of violet, which has become synonymous with the feminist movement and join us to celebrate.
There is no charge for this event, but bookings are essential via email or to 9978 4233.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
