International Women’s Day 2013: Top 5 Events And Activities

International Women's Day is an initiative for the advancement of women and is of prime importance to the economy, business and society. In the 21st century women are striding through a gender inequality and gaining momentum to better our progressive modern world. But while today can be a call for celebration due to Barack Obama's Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA. Not every March 8, has been a victory for International Women's Day.

Beginning in in the early 1900's, at a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw a booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies, women began to recognize their vital right to equality.

In 1909, with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on February 28. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913. Following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to March 8 and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since.

International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. So what can you do to celebrate and participate?

Salon sYmphoNY 2013

New York-based female performers from across the globe will pay homage to inspirational women from their homelands. International Women Artists' Salon in collaboration with Art Boundaries Unlimited (ABU) is presenting monologues, poems and songs from Scotland to Sierra Leone will display the beauty of the cultural riches created by women around the world and sustained today by the women and the city of New York. The free event will be held at The Lounge at Dixon Place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Those interested can find more information here.

Meet And Greet with Human Rights Activist Madeleine Rees

Meet Madeleine Rees, WILPF Secretary General, former high UN official for human rights. Enjoy a private cocktail hour, plus general reception featuring global WILPF speakers. This event will cost you $150 per ticket and is held at Vermillion Restaurant beginning at 5 p.m. You can find more information on Madeline Rees and other activist speakers by clicking here.

Post a Photo of Your High Heels

We all understand how confident and beautiful a woman feels as she slips into a breath-taking pair of heels. Although, every woman who wears high heels whether you admit it or not has been in pain while walking in stilettos at some point in life. To celebrate International Women's Day, the organization Confidence Is Beautiful is calling all women to post photos of their high heels on Facebook or Twitter and make our stiletto shoes a symbol of a women's life. For more information on this fun and different activity, visit the Confidence is Beautiful blog.

International Women's Day Reception: Congo Trauma Survivors

Hear the stories of women who survived a life living in the "the world's most dangerous place to be a woman." Celebrate their strength, hear their stories, and discover your part in restoring hope. Come for a social hour at 6:15 p.m., and stay to hear our speakers, the Honorable Ann Marie Burkle, former Congresswoman, House Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressional Representative to the United Nations, and Rebecca Deng, South Sudanese refugee with a passion for rebuilding communities shattered by war. This event is sponsored by She's My Sister and held at the American Bible Society. Get more information here.

Freedom to Love Celebration

While this event is held on Sunday, it is still a fun and interesting way to celebrate International Women's Day. The organization Be Wild Woman is asking women to join them in an honoring, blessing and celebrating the empowerment of women. Bring your voice, your heart and your dance. We gather to free women from shame, guilt and pain. Join us for a sacred circle of, love your body, healing, blessing and dance facilitated by Be Wild Woman Healer, Kiana Love and Dj'd by Kenzie. This event will be held in Brooklyn at 2 p.m., for more information click here.