In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, Diane von Furstenberg will launch a series of events in her shops worldwide. She will also donate 10% of sales from all boutiques to Vital Voices rom March 2nd to March 8th.
“I am happy to have found a global organization like Vital Voices who truly supports, empowers and equips women and believes, as I do, that to invest in women will improve the world,” she says.
International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900’s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in he United State.
Today, IWD is an official holiday in many countries around the world but not in the United States. The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitude shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970’s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy.
While Diana von Furstenberg does not address this issue, she is one of the premier names in American fashion which was founded in 1972 by the designer. Her partnership with Vital Voices reflects her belief in the infinite power of women and their ability to effect significant change.
Vital Voices believes in the transformative impact of women’s participation in society and invests in women who are pioneers in economic development, political skills and participate as entrepreneurs and business for human rights, enabling them to enhance their capabilities. They are at the forefront of international coalitions to combat human trafficking, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and all forms of violence against women and girls.
Events will take place in London, Paris, Madrid and Lihue. A cocktail reception will be held in London at the designer’s Bruton Street location, in honor of Baroness Mary Goudie. The Baroness, has a long history of working to build the Labour Party in the UK. Maria Pacheco,who has strived to achieve economic empowerment for rural women in Guatemala will be introduced by Diane. Jianmei, founder and director of The Center of Women’s Law and Studies and Legal Services of Peking University will speak at the Avenue Montaigne location in Paris. In New York, a collaboration of seven playwrights will present a play based on personal interviews with seven women who have triumphed over enormous obstacles to bring about major changes in their homes countries.
We have sent out invitations to all these ladies and groups and invited them to our simple Kauaian celebration but as yet they’ve not responded. Perhaps we shall hear from them next year.
Meanwhile, all of you are invited, I will keep you advised as to where and when.
All power to the Women. While you men argue and plot we’ll ride in to save the day.
bettejo 
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