Having remained under the radar for so many years, women have time and time again proven that they can do anything a man can, often exceeding expectations. Since the first observation of International Women’s Day in 1911, women have come together to commemorate their achievements while paving the way for generations to come. March 8th celebrates both women’s past achievements and future goals.
For years, women have been undermined by society. They have long faced workplace double standards, unrealistic beauty standards, and the fight for equal recognition. Sophomore Maryam Hashim believes this struggle is still prominent today. “I do believe that some women are still looked down upon and not seen as capable,” she said. “Whether it is in the workforce or just in general.”
A key to overcoming these challenges is having good role models, so that people of all ages have someone to look up to and set goals for themselves. Mentorship allows people—especially young girls looking up to strong women—to learn, grow, and set goals. Sophomore Lucy Shahan has teachers at North Atlanta to look up to and model herself after. “Ms. Tripp and Ms. Quigley are teachers that I look up to. They’re very strong and gifted at their jobs,” she said. “Whenever I need help with something, they always seem to know what would help, which I believe is a valuable skill to have as a teacher, and I admire them for that.”
Honoring and celebrating women goes beyond acknowledging their accomplishments. It’s about honoring their strength, resilience, and contributions to society. Women continue to break barriers and redefine success on their own terms. Sophomore Madalen Yarbrough believes it is very important to celebrate these achievements, no matter the size. “It’s important to empower young women. Young girls deserve role models to look up to,” she said. “Women need to be recognized in society because we have been the backbone of society and nations since they were created. Men are always getting the credit, so it is crucial to uplift female voices.”
Recognition honors both women’s hard work and their fight against long-standing struggles. Celebrating International Women’s Day as the Warrior Community can shed light on ways to celebrate strong women of the past and future. Shahan also shares her thoughts on how North Atlanta can celebrate and acknowledge women on this day. “I believe that women can celebrate by focusing on their own achievements,” she said. “I think that if you’re a male, you could help the women around you achieve even more than they already have.”
Women’s achievements need to be appreciated and acknowledged not just on March 8th, but every day. International Women’s Day is a reminder of the advancements made and what still needs to be accomplished. Amplifying women’s voices and challenging boundaries guarantees that the impact is never lost. 
