by Allee Feuerman
As your daughter matures, it can be challenging to figure out how and where you fit into your daughter’s life. And while the traditional bonds dads share with their sons differ from the relationship they have with their daughters, dads are often left wondering how they connect and spend time with their daughters.
Monday, March 8th will mark the 44th annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) – a day to celebrate the achievements and advancements of women all over the world. And although IWD should be considered a key holiday in everyone’s calendar, it often comes and goes without being paid much mind.
This year, International Women’s Day should be different for you and your daughter.
In 2020, we saw a resurgence in women’s activism and social justice, we witnessed the number of women in the C-suite rise to the highest it’s ever been reported, and the United States even made history by electing the first female vice president. Many called 2020, the year of the women.
This International Women’s Day will set the tone for women, especially young women, in 2021.
Wondering how can you make International Women’s Day an impactful memory for your kids? Here are five easy and interactive ways you and your daughter can turn International Women’s Day into a powerful bonding experience.
- Celebrate the women in your life
Girl’s need strong role models and it begins with you! Whether it’s your daughter’s mom, her grandmother, her sister, her best friend, or even her, you and your daughter can do something special to make International Women’s Day truly feel like a day to celebrate women.
You Dad, yes you, can do this by a simple gesture such as writing a thank you card, sending roses, or joining in on this year’s social media hashtag together, #ChooseToChallenge, to celebrate the special women in you and your daughter’s life to make International Women’s Day an unforgettable experience.
- Share a book that sparks conversation
Celebrating International Women’s Day with your daughter does not have to involve any grand gestures. You can start small by picking up a book about inspiring women and reading with your teen.
Reading about other impactful women is a great way to inspire new conversations and questions about this memorable day. It’s a great activity for teens or kids and you can start right from the comfort of your living room.
Here are our suggestions to get the conversation flowing:
- Because I was a girl by Melissa de la Cruz. A collection of true stories by women and girls about obstacles, challenges, and opportunities they faced.
- Teen Trailblazers by Jennifer Calvert. A collection of stories from 30 girls who made a difference before the age of 20.
- The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. A book highlighting incredible women from around the world and how we can empower more women.
- In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney. Inspiration and advice from over 100 women artists and entrepreneurs.
- Attend a virtual IWD event
While the pandemic has minimized the amount of in-person events we can attend, you can still join thousands of families online in celebrating International Women’s Day with a virtual concert.
This year, Girls With Impact is partnering with Live Nation Women to celebrate International Women’s Day by inviting families across the nation to come together and attend the first-ever International Women’s Day Virtual Concert.
The event will feature performances from Spotify artist Fletcher, Netflix star Madison Reyes and a surprise headline performer. The event will also incorporate insight from three young entrepreneurs and graduates of The Girls With Impact Academy and will get your daughter starting to think about turning her passion into a business. Tickets are available now as low as $25, and a suggested donation of $100: Buy Tickets Here
The International Women’s Day Concert is not only a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with your daughter, but it also introduces her to an incredible program for girls like her that teaches them the tools and skills they need to become tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators.
- Teach your daughter about a famous female role-model
Teaching your daughter about Marie Curie or Jane Austin doesn’t have to involve any quizzes or tests. In fact, learning about empowering women from our history should be fun and you can make it that way.
Women like Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai serve as great role models for your daughter, inspiring her to have the courage and stand up for what she believes in. Take the time to write down some admirable achievements of role models like Rosa and Malala, and note the challenges they faced to get there. Then, have your daughter set goals like these role-models and guide her with ways she can achieve them.
International Women’s Day not only celebrates women with commendable achievements, but it also celebrates your own daughter. Help her realize her potential by teaching her about others just like her.
- Watch a movie that highlights the impact of women
Who can say no to a movie night? Instead of just your regular old movie night, spice it up this International Women’s Day by featuring films dedicated to the accomplishments and righteousness of women.
Here are our top suggestions for your International Women’s Day movie screening:
- Hidden Figures: A true story of three women mathematicians who played a key role in NASA
- Suffragette: The story of a young working mother is galvanized into radical political activism supporting the right for women to vote
- The Post: A true story about the first female newspaper publisher taking action in a battle between the government and the press.
- The Help: A true story of an aspiring female journalist asserting her knowledge and storytelling ability during the civil rights movement
No matter how you choose to spend International Women’s Day, make it a day you and your daughter can cherish together.
