International Women's Day Event

Yesterday around noon, men and women of all backgrounds and ages gathered with members of CIP, The United Nations Association-USA, OSU Student Alliance, and Women for Women International. We gathered on the Lane Avenue Bridge at the west entrance to OSU campus with signs and messages of peace. This was a worldwide event with people gathering on bridges from San Francisco to Congo. The event aimed to unite women all over the world in a global women's movement calling for an end to war and oppression of women. A group of Iranians attended with special messages of freedom for Iranian women on their posters, while a entire family from Fredericktown drove an hour to participant in the event.
There were around forty people who attended the event, who were broken up into four groups to discuss why we were here and what this event's message meant to us. In my group, the discussion prompted great remarks and insights by participants. Two Iranian women told us about how they came out to support the cause and to create awareness of the oppression of women occurring today in countries like Iran. A firefighter told us about having to say something to fellow firefighters about the language they used and how they didn't always listen, but at least he spoke up. As one woman said, it is worse to sit idly by and watch things happened than to speak even when it might not make a noticeable difference. Another big theme of our discussion was the importance of understanding even to the people with whom we disagree.To encourage respect and tolerance, we must show even our dissenters respect and tolerance. I have to say hearing these people speak was extremely interesting. They all had something very special and unique to say, and they all were of different ages and backgrounds, but all found common ground on this issue. Their unique experiences helped create a dynamic and profound discussion of which I felt privileged to be a part.
Participants also wrote messages of peace and hope on a banner. Some messages were as simple as "Peace," while there were others that called for equality and justice for everyone. Participants later spread out across the bridge with the banner and other posters promoting peace. It was an extremely unique event to attend. The people there had great energy, and we were often supported by passing vehicles with a honk or peace sign. It was a great way to bring many people of differing backgrounds and groups for a common cause. I believe I am not alone in thinking that the event was very successful, and I thank the leaders for their hard work and dedication. I can only hope that events like these continue to prompt discussion and eventually change.