“Look. See. Observe. Wonder. Question. Conclude.”
Rachel Carson (1907-1964), marine biologist and author. The Sea Around Us. 1964
As we head towards the end of August, designated Women’s Month and including Women’s Day, it is time to reflect on what it all actually means. If we look past the clichés, the exploitative advertising and sales opportunities that clog up the websites and what’s left of print media, we are left with very little substance. Here in South Africa, Women’s Day is held in remembrance of the 9th August 1956 march of around 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the pass laws. 14 000 petitions were left at the office doors of the then Prime Minister, J.G Strijdom.
There was no looting, no disorder. The intent and message was clear in itself, and after thirty minutes the group sang Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock), a sentiment now echoed around the world. Change was, however, slow to come given the apartheid strictures of the time, but more recently the role of women has become far more visible, acceptable and – above all – effective. Many times has the thought been expressed that, had women been recognised and their skills utilised since the dawn of civilisation, this planet most certainly have hosted a far more cultured and advanced populace.
Because of the historical importance of the 9th August, South Africa does not share the same date as the balance of the countries that celebrate International Women’s Day, the 8th March. But the roots are identical: the commemoration of women’s fight for equality and liberation. It was spurred by the universal suffrage movement, and originated in the USA and European labour movements in the early 20th century. If the right to vote is equated to the level of recognition of women as ‘fit members of society’, then history can hang its head in shame. The dates the ‘modern’ countries quoted above gave women their voting rights serve as a stark reminder of the trust placed in the hands of women:
United Kingdom – full rights 1928
United States – 1920 (full rights to all only in 1965…)
South Africa – 1930 (European and Asian), 1995 (all women) What these dates actually indicate is the fact that around a mere hundred years ago, women were still viewed as being incapable of understanding or guiding politics and their own destinies.
The first declared Woman’s Day (sic) was organised by the Socialist Party in New York on the 28th February 1909, and this lead to an extraordinary conference in March the following year, an International Socialist Women’s Conference, held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Despite the difficulties of travel and other stumbling blocks, there were over 100 delegates representing 17 countries, debating the challenges of a strategy to promote equal rights, including women’s suffrage. This was the spark: after 6000 or so years of little to no recognition, things started moving apace. The following year March 11th was designated Women’s Day, and over a million women in Central European state took to the streets: 300 demonstrations in Austria- Hungary alone.
The world caught on, and worldwide, countries started acknowledging Women’s Day, but it still took until 1975 for the United Nations to proclaim International Women’s Day. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to “proclaim in accordance with their historical and national traditions and customs, any day of the year as United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.” The United States were the first to take it one step further by announcing Women’s History Month, which aims to explore and publicise the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. As can be imagined, this has uncovered a treasure trove of unsung contributions that women have made to science, the arts, literature, music and every other area of human development.
Waterfront Charters, known for our unswerving attitude to protecting the oceans, would like to focus briefly on one of these incredible women: Rachel Carson. Known – rightly – for her contribution to ecological awareness through her incredible 1962 book ‘The Silent Spring’, she also – as a marine biologist – wrote a trilogy of books on the oceans of the planet and the threats that faced them. In an era prior to understanding the onset of the Sixth extinction; industrial fishing and monumental pollution, Rachel Carson was warning us of what was to come. Margaret Atwood – Canadian author and another woman worth noting for her contribution to society – wrote: “Rachel Carson is one of the major grandparents of environmental movements today…We Human beings owe her a vast debt, and if we make it to the twenty second century as a species it will be in part due to her. Thank you Saint Rachel, wherever you may be.” We, too, salute her.
South Africa is alone internationally in celebrating a full month in recognition of women, and we should take the time to look deeper into the history of contributions made by people like Rachel Carson and other heroes who have struggled against prejudice to be heard and understood.
Check out our website to see the special private charter offer we are currently holding to recognise this special month, but do it now! Like all good things, Women’s Month will come to an end. Don’t miss out.
