The Connection Between March 8, 1857, and International Women’s Day
On March 8, 1857, a pivotal moment in the fight for worker’s rights and gender equality unfolded in the streets of New York City. Female textile workers, many of whom were employed in factories where cotton was a primary material, organised one of the first major strikes led by women in the United States. This event would go on to serve as a defining moment in the history of labor movements and women’s rights activism, marking the beginning of what we now celebrate as International Women’s Day.
The March 8, 1857 Strike: A Bold Stand for Change
The female workers of New York City, working long hours under harsh and often dangerous conditions, were driven to action when they began demanding better wages, shorter work hours, and improved working conditions. In the mid-19th century, the textile industry was booming in America, but workers, especially women, were often subjected to gruelling labor with little regard for their well-being. Women were paid a fraction of what their male counterparts earned, and many faced dangerous, unsanitary, and unhealthy conditions in factories where they worked.
On that fateful day in 1857, thousands of women took to the streets, marching with solidarity and purpose. Their chants, demanding justice and better treatment, echoed through the city, laying the groundwork for future labor strikes and political movements. Their courage to stand up against the oppressive system was not only a moment of rebellion but also an assertion of their agency and right to be treated with dignity and respect.
While the strike did not achieve immediate success, it ignited a spark that would be carried forward by successive generations of women and labor activists. The movement for better working conditions for women continued to grow throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, culminating in groundbreaking changes such as labor laws, union protections, and, eventually, gender equality initiatives.
A Precursor to International Women’s Day
Many historians and activists view the 1857 strike as one of the earliest events that laid the foundation for what would later become International Women’s Day (IWD). The strike embodied the intersection of labor rights and gender equality, two causes that would converge and grow throughout the following decades. Just over 50 years later, in 1908, the Second International Socialist Women’s Congress in Copenhagen declared March 8th as a day to recognise the struggles and achievements of women globally.
As IWD continued to evolve, its origins on March 8, 1857, have been immortalised as a reminder of the ongoing fight for both gender equality and workers’ rights.
The Voices of the Past: Quotes to Remember
The women who stood up in 1857 were not just protesting for better wages and conditions; they were protesting for their right to exist with dignity in a society that marginalised their voices. Their words and actions continue to inspire us today.
- “The workers who produce the wealth should own it and share in it.” – Clara Zetkin, a German Marxist theorist and activist who played a significant role in promoting the idea of International Women’s Day.
- “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde, writer and activist, reminding us that women’s rights are human rights and that the fight for equality is a collective one.
- “There is power in a union.” – Joe Hill, labor activist and songwriter. Though Joe Hill himself wasn’t part of the 1857 strike, his words were reflective of the sentiment echoed by the workers who dared to rise up for their rights.
The Struggle Continues: Gender Equality and Worker’s Rights Today
The legacy of the 1857 textile strike, and the women who participated in it, continues to resonate in today’s ongoing fight for gender equality and labor rights. While much progress has been made over the years, issues like the gender pay gap, workplace harassment, and unsafe working conditions remain a significant challenge for many women, particularly in industries like manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture.
Moreover, the rise of the gig economy and precarious employment has introduced new vulnerabilities for workers, particularly women, who often occupy these roles without access to the protections and rights afforded to unionised workers. The fight for affordable healthcare, paid family leave, and equal pay for equal work is far from over.
On March 8, 2025, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s vital to remember the women who, on that cold March day in 1857, began a wave of change that continues to reverberate across the globe. Their courageous actions laid the foundation for the labor and feminist movements that followed, and their struggle serves as a reminder that gender equality and worker’s rights are inextricably linked.
As we reflect on the history of March 8, 1857, and the broader history of women’s labor activism, let us continue to push forward with the same boldness and determination. Women’s rights are worker’s rights, and worker’s rights are human rights. Let us honour the legacy of those who fought for change by continuing their work and demanding a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has access to safe working conditions, fair pay, and the opportunity to thrive.
In the words of The Feminist Majority Foundation: “We stand on the shoulders of those who fought before us. Let’s lift up the next generation.”
