6 Ways to Celebrate International Women's Day 2021 on March 8

March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD). Celebrate with your children by teaching them about gender equality and strong female leaders.

Updated on February 23, 2021

group of women holding sign "women" — Photo: jacoblund/Getty Images

March 8 marks International Women's Day: a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future. Every year, the special day is linked to a unique theme, and this year, that's #ChooseToChallenge.

As described on the International Women's Day site: "A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions—all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world."

At Parents, we are constantly celebrating the women in our lives—our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters—but International Women's Day is a opportune time to teach your children about gender equality and how to create a better-balanced world. Here are several ways to celebrate the day.

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1. Use #ChooseToChallenge on Social Media

The #ChooseToChallenge campaign has an inspiring goal: to build an inclusive world. One main way to create a call-to-action for others is by taking a photo of yourself and/or your children doing the #ChooseToChallenge pose: holding up your arm with your hand high. Don't forget to use the hashtags #ChooseToChallenge and #IWD2021 to be potentially shared on the official International Women's Day website and social media feeds! Find more information here.

2. Follow Equality Leaders

There are so many incredible community leaders and female entrepreneurs to follow on Instagram and Facebook. Check these true influencers out:

Sonia Guiñansaca—self-described as "Migrant. Poet. Culture Strategist"—is an author whose poetry book is called Nostalgia and Borders. Their Instagram feed is inspiring and empowering.

Elaine Welteroth is the former editor of Teen Vogue, which under her leadership began speaking out against gender inequality. She's also the author of More Than Enough. You won't want to miss her Instagram feed.

Rupi Kaur is a 28-year-old Indian-born Canadian poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. Her popular Instagram feed is filled with feminist, soul-fulfilling words and images.

J'nielle Williams is an admin for the Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Moms, a Facebook community of more than 100K African-American moms dedicated to supporting one another throughout the breastfeeding and postpartum experience.

Tracy Boyd is a blind mother of four children and community leader of Mommies With Guides. Tracy created a Facebook group after connecting with another blind mom and became determined to create a community where women in need of advice could connect.

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3. Read About Female Empowerment with Your Kids

Dive into a book featuring an inspiring female lead or messages of gender equality and female empowerment. Here are a few of our favorites:

You Are Not A Princess (And That's Ok!) by Mélanie Berliet
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton
A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
Baby Feminists by Libby Babbott-Klein
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

4. Watch Girl Power Movies

We bet some strong female characters are already on constant replay in your house (hi, Elsa and Moana!). Push play on these empowering movies featuring inspiring female leads.

Brave
Moana
Frozen
Inside Out
A Little Princess
Hidden Figures
He Named Me Malala
Mulan
On the Basis of Sex
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables

5. Share International Women's Day Quotes

Quotes about equality, ideally written or spoken by powerful, inspiring women, were made for International Women's Day. Whether you write them on signs, create art inspired by them, or share them on social media alongside your #ChooseToChallenge post, weighty words are the perfect way to mark the day. Here are a few favorites to get you started:

Gloria Steinem

The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.

— Gloria Steinem

Michelle Obama

I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.

— Michelle Obama

Kamala Harris

If we do not lift up women and families, everyone will fall short.

— Kamala Harris

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Maya Angelou

I am a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman that is your grandmother, that is your mother, that is your sister, that is you and that is me.

— Maya Angelou

6. Read Up on Teaching Kids About Gender Equality

Here are several can't-miss articles to teach female empowerment and gender equality to your daughters and sons:

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