‘Amazing and inspiring for our small town’

Over the past 110 years, women have gained the right to vote, go to colleges of their choice, marry whom they want, hold political office, open bank accounts on their own and work while raising a family. In celebration of these milestones, many celebrated International Women’s Day.

“It’s important to celebrate International Woman’s Day because women have come so far and have tackled so many obstacles over the years,” said Krystal Nowakowski, a registered nurse at Clarke County Hospital.

In her line of work, Nowakowski said women are important because many are naturally nurturing and caring.

“Now this isn’t saying that men aren’t, but it just comes more natural for women,” she said. “I feel like that brings a bit of comfort to anyone they are caring for.”

Nowakowski’s interest in becoming a nurse stemmed from a woman in her own life – her mother – who worked as a certified nursing assistant for 16 years before becoming a licensed practical nurse while raising five children. Nowakowski’s first job was an environmental aid in a nursing home and her mom worked there, as well.

“She did show, and still shows, so much compassion to each and every one of her patients,” said Nowakowski. “I’ve also always liked to help people so I decided to pursue a career where I got to help people everyday.”

Women inspiring their daughters is something that is celebrated on International Women’s Day.

“A huge inspiration in my life and career choice is my mom,” said Kimberly Adams, technology teacher at Clarke Elementary. “With her in-home daycare business I have been blessed to be around children my whole life. I remember growing up and reading books to the kids, watching them learn new things and watching her with them and seeing how much fun they would have exploring and learning new things and doing various arts and crafts.”

Adams sees women in education as having the benefit of inspiring not only children, but also other women to push themselves to try and reach their goals in school and in life. She believes it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day because she said women can do amazing things and can become anything they set their minds to.

One woman who set her mind to something and accomplished it was Jerusha Thomas, owner of The Grassroots Home. She was inspired by another female entrepreneur, her mother.

“My mom owned her own business for 17 years,” said Thomas. “She ran a shop, small greenhouse, taught classes and hosted garden tours. She worked hard but she absolutely loved what she was doing.”

The work ethic and love of business that her mother showed allowed Thomas to see the benefits of being a shopkeeper. So when Thomas and a friend were shopping in another small town, it was a “no-brainer” for her to want to open a shop of her own in Osceola.

“It’s so important to have female entrepreneurs,” said Thomas. “Around our square I can easily think of 12 woman-owned businesses. That’s pretty amazing and inspiring for our small town.”

History

International Women’s Day has been a marked celebration since the early 1900s. During that time of social unrest, women began to demand shorter work hours, better pay and voting rights. The first National Women’s Day was observed in America Feb. 28, 1909, and was subsequently observed annually on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

The idea for an International Women’s Day came about during the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. One hundred women from 17 countries were present and all agreed to set a date to celebrate women and their fight for equal rights. 1911 was the first time International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19. Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day the last Sunday in February as they campaigned for peace near the start of World War I.

After some discussion in 1914 International Women’s Day was set on March 8 for the majority of the world which used the Gregorian calendar and that date coincided with February 23 in the Julian calendar, the calendar the Russians then used. The International date has been March 8 since.

One hundred years after the first ever International Women’s Day, in 2011 Barack Obama proclaimed March “Women’s History Month” and Hillary Clinton launched the 100 Women Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls through International Exchanges.

To learn more about the history of International Women’s Day and the 2021 Choose to Challenge theme visit www.internationalwomensday.com.