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International Women’s Day Celebration Event by the Korean American Womens Association of Michigan
Country
United States
Date
2023.03.21

International Women’s Day Celebration Event by the Korean American Womens Association of Michigan


March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). In 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed the establishment of Women’s Day and its celebration as a global holiday. The following year, Germany, Switzerland, and other few countries in Europe began to celebrate Women’s Day. Then, in 1975, the United Nations marked March 8 as International Women’s Day. Since then, various events are held to celebrate IWD on every March 8 in the world.


IWD celebration event was held in Michigan on March 11

IWD celebration event was held in Michigan on March 11



At Vistatech Center of Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan, the event celebrated the achievements and the history of women rights and gender equality movement. Under the slogan of “Give equity a huge embrace,” the event had a panel discussion with ten local organizations including the Korean American Women’s Association (KAWA USA), Asian Indian Women’s Association of Michigan (AIWA), Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), Filipino American Community Council of Michigan (FILAMCCO), and Wind Dance Chinese Cultural Group (WDCCG). During the discussion and Q&A session, the panels shared their thought that equality is not a matter of choice or preference but a matter of something that must be guaranteed to everyone. They questioned why equal opportunities had not been given enough to women and urged that the ongoing discussions on solving this problem should be made globally. Furthermore, since to promote gender equality means to make the world a more embracing place, the panels argued that we should encourage our family, friends, colleagues, and local communities to accept equality. They also pointed out the need of measures to build more embracing and equal society. The discussion was concluded with the determination to help to build the world an equal place by women’s solidarity in embracing all types of equality.

After the panel discussion, the hosts gave a quiz on guessing the names of the distinguished female figures from different fields in our society to foster engagement from the participants. It was a moment to celebrate and remember the women who had made socially significant accomplishments in human history.


KAWA members taking a picture in front of the banners of the participating organizations

KAWA members taking a picture in front of the banners of the participating organizations



The music and dance performances by different organizations followed the panel discussion. The audience enjoyed the IWD event watching the traditional dance and music performances including traditional Indian, Thai, and Filipino dances and a traditional Chinese string performance and Korean samul-nori. Especially, the student members of Woori Sori, a samul-nori group from the Korean American Cultural Center of Michigan, performed honam-sori and yeongnam-sori with a drum, gong, janggu, and gonggwari. Their high-spirited play was a wonderful finale for the performances.


AIWA members dancing the Durga Dance, one of the traditional dances in India

AIWA members dancing the Durga Dance, one of the traditional dances in India



The dancers are dancing Manora, one of the classical Thai dances based on the story of a mythical, half-human, half-bird woman.

The dancers are dancing Manora, one of the classical Thai dances based on the story of a mythical, half-human, half-bird woman.



Myntra, a traditional Indian dance, is for children’s birthday events, wedding ceremonies, or other special events and ceremonies.

Myntra, a traditional Indian dance, is for children’s birthday events, wedding ceremonies, or other special events and ceremonies.



WDCCG members performing traditional Chinese music

WDCCG members performing traditional Chinese music



Indian women dancing traditional dance of South India

Indian women dancing traditional dance of South India



Teen members of Woori Sori putting on a finale for the music and dance performances of the IWD celebration event

Teen members of Woori Sori putting on a finale for the music and dance performances of the IWD celebration event



After the performances, Stephanie Chang, the first Asian American woman to become a senator in Michigan, recited the welcoming speech written by the governor of Michigan. The speech stated that IWD is a celebration of the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements women have made in our history and a record of Michigan’s taking the initiative in protecting women’s rights. It added that IWD would be a turning point for positive changes in promoting women’s rights and expanding opportunities for women to participate in our society.


Senator Stephanie Chang reciting the governor’s speech for the IWD celebration event

Senator Stephanie Chang reciting the governor’s speech for the IWD celebration event



Members of KAWA, Korean American Community of Metro Detroit, and the samulnori club taking a picture with Senator Chang

Members of KAWA, Korean American Community of Metro Detroit, and the samulnori club taking a picture with Senator Chang



The IWD celebration event is a day to commemorate the accomplishments women have made to realize equality in our society. The event will be remembered as a joyful day for making a progress and the history of building a better and equal society for everyone.


Participants enjoying a luncheon after the first part of the event

Participants enjoying a luncheon after the first part of the event




Overseas Korean correspondent