International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day from Russia!
Matt suggested I post about why I like women's day since it is one of the bigger holidays over here. :-)
Russia does not celebrate Mother's Day or Father's Day. Instead they have "Defenders of the Fatherland Day" and "International Women's Day." Women's Day is much more common through Europe and include thanking mothers as a part of the holiday.
Personally, I appreciate that I do not have to be a mother to be appreciated in this holiday. Mothers are thanked for being mothers and single women are thanked for being single women; it's a holiday that is more inclusive of all women.
Parent holidays can also be painful for many people, like those who have had negative experiences with their parents or children. But Women's Day includes all women and all those who love them, not just related family members.
It's also nice to have women's place in society publicly acknowledged and celebrated. All cultures have times they can look back on where this was not the case and it is a blessing to see how cultures have moved forward from that.
But regardless of gender, we have been blessed by those who support us and those we work with here. So thank you to the men and women who have done so much for us this past year and half, and many of you for much longer! You are a blessing to us and we only hope to pass this blessing on to the kids at IA!
- Amanda