Women throughout history have had a huge impact in shaping the world we live in today. From record- breaking Taylor Swifts’ iconic girl power songs, Jane Austen’s feminist focused novels getting the world thinking, Polish/French chemist Marie Curie Nobel Prize winning research, to the Lionesses bringing women’s football to the forefront of sport.

International Women’s Day looks to honour, celebrate, educate and continue to empower women.  We take a look at the story behind International Women’s Day and how florists and small businesses can get involved with this special day.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day, and “celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political  achievements of women” throughout history. The day also works to highlight areas still needing change for women’s equality. Check out the International Women's Day website for lots more information and resources!

When is International Women’s Day?

Every year International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe on the 8^th of March.

What is the story behind Internation Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been a key date in the diary since the first International Women’s Day gathering back in 1911. Over 1 million people from across Europe gathered to rally the cause, setting in place a movement that is now recognised annually on the 8th March.

Today, International Women’s Day belongs jointly to all groups across the world who wish to be involved such as organisations, businesses, charities and governments; who together achieve celebrations, fundraising, education and events.

What is this years International Women’s Day theme?

There is a different campaign theme every year, with IWD 2024 theme being Inspire Inclusion. Remember to use the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InspireInclusion for any social media posts and pictures.

5 ways to get involved with International Women’s Day

1. Join an IWD Event

There are tons of International Women’s Day events taking place in the UK and around the world in March to celebrate IWD. Find an event near you to attend, take your employees along for a team experience or encourage them to join one of the virtual talks.

Find an event taking place near you or a Virtual talk using the International Women’s Day website Event Search tool. In London join the Women’s Freedom Ride Cycling Campaign, Blackpool are hosting an IWD Art Exhibition, or Sheffield Hallam University is hosting a Touch Rugby tournament that everyone can join at.

2. Play that Podcast

There are thousands of inspiring podcasts to choose from nowadays, with some of the most popular female empowering podcasts for 2024 to check out being;

• Award-winning The Guilty Feminist for laugh out loud life chatter
• The Highest Self with conversations around important topics such as careers and women’s health
• The Game Changers talking to some of the biggest female names in sport about their historic careers and challenges they have faced.
• Tune in daily for podcasts from Woman’s Hour chatting to celebrities and leading women in the news, covering a wide range of subjects from law, fashion, education, food and parenting.

Podcasts are a great option for busy lives; listen in the shop, commuting on the train or enjoy whilst you get your steps in for the day on your lunch break. Podcasts are widely available to listen to for free, using apps such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Audiable.  

3. Creative Collaboration

Look to collaborate with a woman-owned business, a fantastic way to support another local small business in honour of IWD.  Things you can do include; teaming up to create a special IWD gift bundle to retail in both your shops and on your website, which helps support and promote each others products/services. For instance, if you are a local florist you could look to collaborate with a woman-founded business that craft candles or luxury truffles, which pair up well with your floral bouquets.

4. Get Social

One of the easiest ways to get involved and doesn’t cost a penny is by the power of social media. Get your team to strike the IWD 2024 pose (making a heart shape with hands) and post on your Facebook page, share the story of an inspiring woman in your business or life, or help promote the collaboration you have with another woman-owned business.

Don’t forget to use the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InspireInclusion !

5. Decorate to celebrate

International Women’s Day symbolic colour is purple; which is internationally known as the symbol for women and signifying justice and dignity.  If you have a shop window then give your artistic talents a showcase by decorating the front of the shop for International Women’s Day. A great way to inspire the local community with the IWD message. Including the colour purple in your decorations would also help spread the word!