March 8, International Women's Day

[Verdad]

I thought I'd dust off the pictures of Klara and Rosa, maybe write up a brief history of women's struggle for equality, make a little speech about where we stand now and what there's still to do, but I'm pressed for time so I'll be brief:

Happy Women's Day, Litsterettes.

 

[Stella_Omega]

back atcha, Truth-Speaker!

 

[Verdad]

back atcha, Truth-Speaker!

And one for you especially:

Oh--the gents might like to know it's customary in many parts of the world to give flowers on this day, particularly mimosa, to women in one's life—wives, lovers, moms, relatives, coworkers, friends. I got some for my mom and my men got some for me.

From the news:

About International Women's Day

A timely first Oscar for a female best director

 

[Stella_Omega]

Mimosa, or possibly a reasonable share of the joint property.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Mimosa? A fuzzy yellow tree-flower? That's supposed to be a sign of respect and admiration? Odd . . .


How's about pouring her a mimosa instead?

 

[Handley_Page]

If these are the days of equality; when's International Men's Day ?

 

[Verdad]

Mimosa? A fuzzy yellow tree-flower? That's supposed to be a sign of respect and admiration? Odd . . .

Hey, I thought you'd know that! Mimosa were customary in Italy, for one. I don't know the current status of the holiday there, though—whether it's still widely observed.

I do know that in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc the holiday fell out of favor after the fall of communism. The way I remember it, though, it was quite a beautiful day.

Instead of there being a day to celebrate mothers and one to celebrate lovers, both of which really construct woman's identity in relation to what she is to a man, March 8 was Mother's Day and Valentine's Day and more, all wrapped into one. Women of all ages, from little girls to grannies, would get flowers, and what's even stranger to think of these days, they gave flowers to each other, too. Girls to their teachers, friends to friends, etc, etc. My memory of it is of bunches of flowers and happy women's faces, everyone carrying mimosa as they went together for drinks or lunches after the work.

As Stella was quick and wholly correct to notice, flowers ain't where it's at, but I felt like reviving a bit of that sweet atmosphere first. The things we celebrate, I think, can be telling too. (Must run now!)

 

[Verdad]

If these are the days of equality; when's International Men's Day ?

There ya go, Handley: http://www.internationalmensday.com/

If you're patient and well behaved till November 19, we'll get some mimosa for you too.

 

[Stella_Omega]

If these are the days of equality; when's International Men's Day ?

There ya go, Handley: http://www.internationalmensday.com/

If you're patient and well behaved till November 19, we'll get some mimosa for you too.

And all the rest of the days can be International Women's And Men's days, all together.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Or to avoid any offense to anyone, International Sapient Beings' Day? No, I'm not being sarcastic!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Mimosa (acacia dealbata) was introduced to Europe from Australia in 1820 and spread rapidly. Pretty as it is, Mimosa is not a particularly good neighbor to other plants. It is invasive, propagating freely from seed and also by sprouting new shoots from a dense spreading root structure, and it's also allelopathic -- chemicals that are washed down by rain suppress blooming of nearby plants. Since Mimosa plants bloom before grapes, for example, they should not be planted near vineyards. Mimosa is cultivated for its flowers (for cut flowers and honey production) and for essential oils (for use in perfumes and cosmetics). It's dense growth and spines make it a good hedge plant, and its wood is sometimes used in bent-wood furniture.


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/1volupturary_manque/istockphoto_5519394-mimosa-in-bloom.jpg


I'm still not sure about the symbolism here. "Invasive, allelopathic, spines"--somehow I don't think that's quite the message a woman of culture and intelligence would appreciate. But what does a bear know?

 

[oggbashan]

My eldest aunt was a suffragist in the years before what she called The Great War of 1914-1918. (Suffagists wanted votes for women by legitimate means; suffragettes used civil disobedience as well)

She was also a Freeman of the City of London, as was her mother, grandmother and many female ancestors before her. She saw nothing wrong with being called a Freeman. She took the "man" part as generic, meaning, in context, of either sex. Why not? She had many examples to prove that women could be Freeman and contribute to the City of London.

A Freeman was licensed to trade within the City boundaries. People who were not Freemen could not.

Today Freemen of the City of London are required to defend the City Liberties, i.e. the City's rights and privileges and in exchange can drive their sheep over London Bridge without paying a toll.

In earlier times, as far back as the civil wars between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, the burghers and freemen of the City of London defended themselves with vigour, shutting the gates of the City in the Monarch's face. Even now, the Queen and the Prime Minister have to ask the Lord Mayor's permission before entering the City of London.

If my aunt had ever been asked to defend the City's Liberties, peaceful suffragist or not, she would have grabbed the nearest pike or musket and manned/personned the City's walls with her fellow Freemen.

Women like her won the vote.

Og

 

[voluptuary_manque]

So in Auntie's case, 'spiny' is a compliment? Interesting . . .

 

[Stella_Omega]

How about a drink instead?
http://flee-mail.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mimosa.jpg

 

[voluptuary_manque]

How about a drink instead?
http://flee-mail.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mimosa.jpg

Cheers! A second, madam?

I just finished a batch of kumquat/tangerine marmalade. It will be exquisite with a stout cheese, marvelous over ice cream, splendid as an accompaniment for fowl or pork and none to shabby with peanut butter and bread. Have a jar with my compliments.

 

[Verdad]

I'm still not sure about the symbolism here. "Invasive, allelopathic, spines"--somehow I don't think that's quite the message a woman of culture and intelligence would appreciate. But what does a bear know?

Laughing. You remind me of how I used to adore calla lilies, until I learned they're a symbol of death. I still think they're gorgeous, but now I'm kind of creeped out by them. Bah.

I think mimosa is more of a seasonal, springtime thing than a matter of symbolism, though. At least, I hope so!

Just caught an article that says the biggest rally ever was held today in Stockholm. The tradition seems to be alive and well there—maybe Liar can tell us what kind of flowers, if any, they give.

 

[Verdad]

My eldest aunt was a suffragist in the years before what she called The Great War of 1914-1918. (Suffagists wanted votes for women by legitimate means; suffragettes used civil disobedience as well)

She was also a Freeman of the City of London, as was her mother, grandmother and many female ancestors before her. She saw nothing wrong with being called a Freeman. She took the "man" part as generic, meaning, in context, of either sex. Why not? She had many examples to prove that women could be Freeman and contribute to the City of London.

A Freeman was licensed to trade within the City boundaries. People who were not Freemen could not.

Today Freemen of the City of London are required to defend the City Liberties, i.e. the City's rights and privileges and in exchange can drive their sheep over London Bridge without paying a toll.

In earlier times, as far back as the civil wars between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, the burghers and freemen of the City of London defended themselves with vigour, shutting the gates of the City in the Monarch's face. Even now, the Queen and the Prime Minister have to ask the Lord Mayor's permission before entering the City of London.

If my aunt had ever been asked to defend the City's Liberties, peaceful suffragist or not, she would have grabbed the nearest pike or musket and manned/personned the City's walls with her fellow Freemen.

Women like her won the vote.

Og

Thank you, dear Ogg. That's a gorgeous post.

 

[Verdad]

In the meantime, it occurred to me that not everyone knows the history of the day, so here it is in the briefest possible form:

I've kind of mentioned Klara Zetkin; a member of the German Social Democrat party, she was the first to propose there should be such a thing as women's day—a day, needless to say, dedicated not only to celebrating with flowers but first of all to women's solidarity and equal rights.

By proposing the day in 1910, Zetkin beat to the punch the American feminists, who were at the same time getting very vocal and organized themselves. In 1910, it is worth remembering, women from both countries, as well as from the rest of the world, were still some years shy of universal suffrage—indeed, in some cases, many years shy.

The celebration of the day was at any rate held for the first time in 1911, with the tradition of rallies and campaigning continuing to the present day. Rather unfairly, the day's roots in the socialist movement limited its popularity, so it lived as a proper holiday—a day people celebrate, not merely a day for activism—mostly just in places that didn't consider socialism a dirty word.

The meaning of the day hasn't much to do with socialism, though, and to underscore that, I'll use the opportunity to pay homage to someone who came before Klara Zetkin. By many, she is considered to be the founder of feminism:

Mary Wollstonecraft (pronounced /ˈwʊlstənkrɑːft/; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and feminist. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book. Wollstonecraft is best known for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She suggests that both men and women should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded on reason.

What about today, though? Well, with two thirds of the world's illiterate being women, Wollstonecraft's words on education have not lost their relevance. Maybe the briefest way to summarize the issues is through the official motto of March 8, 2010: "Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all."

This motto brings a couple of things in focus. One, feminism is about equality. It's sometimes sad to hear women say, "not that I'm a feminist or anything…" as though it's a dirty word. The bad rap it's gotten, of men hatred and entitlement, is sometimes so overwhelming I'm tempted to say it myself. Yet that is not what feminism is about, nor is it about intruding in people's private lives or dictating their private sexual etiquette. The issues are rather violence, inadequate health care, unequal wages, and many others from which women still suffer more.

As suggested by the word 'progress', the status of women in developing countries, in particular, is the hot topic of feminism today. Whoever hasn't read this article when Stella first posted it, can get an idea from reading it now.

Not to end by giving an impression that inequality is limited to the third world, though, I'll link this brief article too. It points out the women's unpreparedness for dealing with inequality in workplace precisely because they believe inequality is a thing of the past.

It's something to think about at least once a year, in any case—and with it, I'll stop pontificating and have one of those pretty drinks.

 

[Pure]

greetings to lit women. note to stella

Stella said, Mimosa, or possibly a reasonable share of the joint property.

pure: the issue of property of legally married women, in Canada, is for the most part resolved, but equality remains an elusive goal, e.g. VERY few women are CEO's of major North American corporations.

that said, achievements call for celebration; congrats to kathryn bigelow; I'm also an admirer of lina wertmuller.

for the female voices at AH:

 

[ishtat]

Mimosa (acacia dealbata) was introduced to Europe from Australia in 1820 and spread rapidly. Pretty as it is, Mimosa is not a particularly good neighbor to other plants. It is invasive, propagating freely from seed and also by sprouting new shoots from a dense spreading root structure, and it's also allelopathic -- chemicals that are washed down by rain suppress blooming of nearby plants. Since Mimosa plants bloom before grapes, for example, they should not be planted near vineyards. Mimosa is cultivated for its flowers (for cut flowers and honey production) and for essential oils (for use in perfumes and cosmetics). It's dense growth and spines make it a good hedge plant, and its wood is sometimes used in bent-wood furniture.


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/1volupturary_manque/istockphoto_5519394-mimosa-in-bloom.jpg


I'm still not sure about the symbolism here. "Invasive, allelopathic, spines"--somehow I don't think that's quite the message a woman of culture and intelligence would appreciate. But what does a bear know?

VM. I think that there are 5 sub species of Mimosa of which the Acacias are only one. 900 0f the world 1300 or so acacias originate in Australia (where we call them wattles) but others are native to all temperate and tropical zones. All of the Australian wattles are yellow but I think some of the Mimosas are pink. Maybe Verdad can tell us which particular flower she gives and gets.

Golden Wattle (acacia pycantha) is the floral emblem of Australia. When you give some to your lady it's compulsory to stand up straight and say - in your best aussie accent:-

'ere is the Wattle
it's the symbol of our land.
You can stick it in a bottle
or 'old it in yer 'and.

 

[Verdad]

VM. I think that there are 5 sub species of Mimosa of which the Acacias are only one. 900 0f the world 1300 or so acacias originate in Australia (where we call them wattles) but others are native to all temperate and tropical zones. All of the Australian wattles are yellow but I think some of the Mimosas are pink. Maybe Verdad can tell us which particular flower she gives and gets.

Golden Wattle (acacia pycantha) is the floral emblem of Australia. When you give some to your lady it's compulsory to stand up straight and say - in your best aussie accent:-

'ere is the Wattle
it's the symbol of our land.
You can stick it in a bottle
or 'old it in yer 'and.

LOL, the poem. Almost choked on my coffee.

Didn't know that about Oz, though. The national emblem business, I mean. What kind I'm used to? Well, they look like the ones Bear posted; I frankly don't know if it's the exact same sort or not. Here's another pic, for all its worth:

http://www.french-gardens.com/images/mygarden/mimosa3.jpg

They're usually praised for delicacy and grace, not for spininness, but I might have to rethink that!

 

[Stella_Omega]

ISHTAT! I love that pome.

 

[oggbashan]

C J Dennis

Suggestion for Australian National Anthem 1908:

A Real Australian Austra-laise

Fellers of Australier,
Blokes an' coves and coots,
Shift yer ----- carcases,
Move yer ----- boots.
Gird yer ----- loins up,
Get yer ----- gun,
Set the ----- enermy
An' watch the ----- run.

Chorus:
Get a ----- move on
Have some ----- sense.
Learn the ----- art of
Self de- ----- -fence.

and six more verses.

C J Dennis suggested that the anthem should be sung to the tune of 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and that "blessed" or "blooming", or any other suitable word be used to replace the blanks.

I'm sure that members of the Authors' Hangout can provide the words that C J Dennis' printer and publisher couldn't.

Og

PS. In context "Set the ----- enermy" means "Attack the -----" from the expression "Set the dogs on somebody".

 

[Liar]

Just caught an article that says the biggest rally ever was held today in Stockholm. The tradition seems to be alive and well there—maybe Liar can tell us what kind of flowers, if any, they give.

None that I know of. I don't think iot goes with the tone of it. It's all very...political and serious minded over here.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

How many people give a shit for one more Special Olympics Holiday? Five?