Today is International Women’s Day, a commemorative day that’s celebrated in different ways throughout the world. In some countries, the focus is on women’s accomplishments, whereas in others, it is a day to merely show gratitude towards women.
Here in Croatia, International Women’s Day is not a public holiday (as it is in more than 20 countries) but I hear that men often give flowers to their wives, mothers, daughters, and female colleagues.
In Italy and Russia, for example, it’s customary for men to surprise the special women in their lives with yellow mimosa flowers.
In our current home away from home in Croatia’s Dalmatia region, I’ve seen overflowing buckets of mimosa flowers at the Trogir market. Given Dalmatia’s cultural and historic ties with Italy, I’m curious if they’ll follow the mimosa custom?
I’m commemorating International Women’s Day by sharing images of women I’ve captured around the world. From the Bulgarian lady selling flowers to celebrate Cyrillic Alphabet Day in Sofia, Bulgaria, to the nón lá hat-clad woman in riverside Hoi An, Vietnam, I’ve crossed paths with some exceptional ladies.
With movements such as Half the Sky’s, I hope women worldwide will continue to be afforded more rights, so that we can all reach our dreams. I encourage you to check out the great work that they’re doing, and I’d be curious to learn which organizations you respect.
*Not to forget the special men in our lives, I note that there is an International Men’s Day on 19 November. :)
Many individuals and organizations work tirelessly to promote the rights of women worldwide. Which organizations do you think are the most noteworthy? What women’s issues do you feel are the most important? Or, quite simply, how will you recognize the special women in your life today?
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All rights reserved.
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